CVE-2026-31663: Linux kernel · xfrm: hold dev ref until after transport_finish NF_HOOK
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Mentioned vulnerabilities
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1068.75~22.04.1 +24
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 24 Apr 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8903-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8906-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8904-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8903-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-2 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-nvidiapkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-nvidia?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: hold dev ref until after transport_finish NF_HOOK After async crypto completes, xfrm_input_resume() calls dev_put() immediately on re-entry before the skb reaches transport_finish. The skb->dev pointer is then used inside NF_HOOK and its okfn, which can race with device teardown. Remove the dev_put from the async resumption entry and instead drop the reference after the NF_HOOK call in transport_finish, using a saved device pointer since NF_HOOK may consume the skb. This covers NF_DROP, NF_QUEUE and NF_STOLEN paths that skip the okfn. For non-transport exits (decaps, gro, drop) and secondary async return points, release the reference inline when async is set.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-31663 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-31663 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/1c428b03840094410c5fb6a5db30640486bbbfcb (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8903-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8906-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8904-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8903-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-2 (opens in a new tab)