CVE-2026-31788: Linux kernel · xen/privcmd: restrict usage in unprivileged domU
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.2 High · fixed in cbede2e833da1893afbea9b3ff29b5dda23a4a91 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:18 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation and no public proof of concept
- Automatable
- Attackers cannot reliably automate steps 1–4 of the kill chain
- Technical impact
- Total control over the software or total information disclosure
CISA SSVC assessment, 2026-10-16.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in cbede2e833da1893afbea9b3ff29b5dda23a4a91, 1879319d790f7d57622cdc22807b60ea78b56b6d, 78432d8f0372c71c518096395537fa12be7ff24e +5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Mar 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.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xen/privcmd: restrict usage in unprivileged domU The Xen privcmd driver allows to issue arbitrary hypercalls from user space processes. This is normally no problem, as access is usually limited to root and the hypervisor will deny any hypercalls affecting other domains. In case the guest is booted using secure boot, however, the privcmd driver would be enabling a root user process to modify e.g. kernel memory contents, thus breaking the secure boot feature. The only known case where an unprivileged domU is really needing to use the privcmd driver is the case when it is acting as the device model for another guest. In this case all hypercalls issued via the privcmd driver will target that other guest. Fortunately the privcmd driver can already be locked down to allow only hypercalls targeting a specific domain, but this mode can be activated from user land only today. The target domain can be obtained from Xenstore, so when not running in dom0 restrict the privcmd driver to that target domain from the beginning, resolving the potential problem of breaking secure boot. This is XSA-482 --- V2: - defer reading from Xenstore if Xenstore isn't ready yet (Jan Beulich) - wait in open() if target domain isn't known yet - issue message in case no target domain found (Jan Beulich)
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4eb245ff0d33b618e097a2c23de5df56d4ad6969 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ee5b9e3de4b8bdd74183d83205481c91a9effc8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/87a803edb2ded911cb587c53bff179d2a2ed2a28 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1879319d790f7d57622cdc22807b60ea78b56b6d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/78432d8f0372c71c518096395537fa12be7ff24e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/389bae9a4409934e8b8d4dbdaaf02a3ae71cf8e4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cbede2e833da1893afbea9b3ff29b5dda23a4a91 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/453b8fb68f3641fea970db88b7d9a153ed2a37e8 (opens in a new tab)
- xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-482.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/24/2 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/24/3 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/24/4 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/24/5 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/26/4 (opens in a new tab)