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CVE-2026-31501

Critical Vulnerability: CVE-2026-31501 — linux — linux_kernel

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ti: icssg-prueth: fix use-after-free of CPPI descriptor in RX path cppi5_hdesc_get_psdata() returns a pointer into the CPPI descriptor. In both emac_rx_packet() and emac_rx_packet_zc(), the descriptor is freed via k3_cppi_desc_pool_free() before the psdata pointer is used by emac_rx_timestamp(), which dereferences psdata[0] and psdata[1]. This constitutes a use-after-free on every received packet that goes through the tim

Thursday, May 14, 2026linuxVulnios Threat Intelligence
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Vulnerability Snapshot

CVE-2026-31501 is rated CRITICAL — exploitation is trivial or already observed in the wild and impact is severe. Patch immediately, not on the next maintenance window.

Affected technology: linux_kernel.

Executive Summary

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: ti: icssg-prueth: fix use-after-free of CPPI descriptor in RX path

cppi5_hdesc_get_psdata() returns a pointer into the CPPI descriptor.

In both emac_rx_packet() and emac_rx_packet_zc(), the descriptor is

freed via k3_cppi_desc_pool_free() before the psdata pointer is used

by emac_rx_timestamp(), which dereferences psdata[0] and psdata[1].

This constitutes a use-after-free on every received packet that goes

through the timestamp path.

Defer the descriptor free until after all accesses through the psdata

pointer are complete. For emac_rx_packet(), move the free into the

requeue label so both early-exit and success paths free the descriptor

after all accesses are done. For emac_rx_packet_zc(), move the free to

the end of the loop body after emac_dispatch_skb_zc() (which calls

emac_rx_timestamp()) has returned.

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-31501 is rated CRITICAL severity, requiring immediate attention from security teams.

CVSS Base Score: 9.8/10

Affected Technologies

Vendors: linux

Products: linux_kernel

🛡️What Defenders Should Check

  • Check if you are affected — Review your asset inventory for products listed in CVE-2026-31501.
  • Apply available patches — Visit vendor advisories for the latest security updates.
  • Monitor for exploitation — Check your SIEM/IDS logs for related indicators.

    • Use Vulnios to continuously monitor your exposure to CVE-2026-31501 and similar vulnerabilities.

    References & Sources

  • https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d5827316debcb677679bb014885d7be92c410e11
  • https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb8c426c9803beb171f89d15fea17505eb517714

    • How Vulnios Detects This

    Vulnios scans for this vulnerability using Trivy and Grype for CVE matching against your container images and OS package manifests. Run a scan against your environment to see whether you are exposed; findings are linked back to the original CVE record so triage starts with the patch path already known.

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    Affected Products

    linux_kernel

    Sources

    Related Threat Alerts

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is CVE-2026-31501?

    CVE-2026-31501 is a critical-severity vulnerability tracked under the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program. In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

    net: ti: icssg-prueth: fix use-after-free of CPPI descriptor in RX path

    cppi5_hdesc_get_psdata() returns a pointer into the CPPI d

    Am I affected?

    Check whether your environment runs linux_kernel. If you operate any of those, treat yourself as in scope until you have evidence otherwise. A Vulnios scan will identify the exact assets carrying the affected version.

    How urgent is the response?

    Critical: do not wait for your normal patch cycle. Verify exposure today, apply the vendor patch immediately, and add detection rules for any post-exploit indicators.

    How do I remediate?

    Apply the vendor patch listed in the upstream advisory linked under Sources. If the patch is not yet available, follow the vendor-supplied workaround (often a config flag or feature disable) and add detections for the published exploit pattern in your SIEM. Re-scan after the patch lands to confirm the finding clears.

    Where can I track exploitation activity?

    Watch CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog for CVE-2026-31501. Cross-reference with public exploit databases and your own SIEM/IDS for indicator-of-compromise patterns. Vulnios tracks KEV status automatically and surfaces it on the asset findings view.

    How does Vulnios help with this?

    Vulnios continuously cross-references your asset inventory against the live CVE feed (NVD, vendor advisories, CISA KEV, and curated OSINT). When a new CVE matches your environment, you get a prioritized finding with the severity, KEV status, exploit-prediction (EPSS), and a direct path to the vendor patch. You can start a free scan from the homepage.

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