Skip to main content

Linux Kernel EUVDEUVD-2026-24639

| CVE-2026-31431 HIGH
Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres (CWE-669)
2026-04-22 Linux GHSA-2274-3hgr-wxv6
7.8
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: Linux
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Recon
    Obtain local user access
  2. Delivery
    Create AF_ALG socket for AEAD operations
  3. Exploit
    Craft malicious memory mappings
  4. Install
    Trigger in-place operation vulnerability
  5. C2
    Corrupt kernel memory structures
  6. Execute
    Execute arbitrary code as root
  7. Impact
    Escalate to full system control

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Incorrect resource transfer between spheres
Exploitation Conditions

Requires local authenticated access with ability to create AF_ALG sockets (typically any local user on default Linux configurations). The target kernel must be compiled with CONFIG_CRYPTO_USER_API_AEAD enabled (common in general-purpose distributions) and running a vulnerable version containing commit 72548b093ee38a6d4f2a19e6ef1948ae05c181f7 without reversion patches. Exploitation requires the attacker to craft specific AEAD operation sequences that trigger the in-place operation code path with carefully constructed memory mappings. No elevated privileges or special capabilities are required beyond basic authenticated user access, but successful exploitation demands kernel memory layout knowledge and understanding of cryptographic API internals. User interaction is not required (UI:N). Attack complexity is low (AC:L) once the technical prerequisites are understood, though weaponization requires significant reverse engineering expertise.

Impact

CVSS 7.8 reflects local attack vector requiring authenticated access with low complexity (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L), but Technical Impact is total (C:H/I:H/A:H), enabling complete system compromise. EPSS 0.01% (1st percentile) indicates minimal automated scanning activity despite public POC availability, suggesting exploit requires specific technical knowledge to weaponize successfully. SSVC assessment confirms POC existence, non-automatable exploitation, and total technical impact - prioritization depends on whether systems allow untrusted local users. The vulnerability requires local authenticated access and specific cryptographic API usage patterns, limiting remote exploitation scenarios. However, local privilege escalation on multi-user systems or container escape scenarios represent critical risks. No CISA KEV listing indicates targeted rather than widespread exploitation. Real-world priority is HIGH for systems with untrusted local users (shared hosting, container platforms, HPC clusters) but MEDIUM for single-user workstations or systems with strong access controls. The gap between CVSS severity and low EPSS suggests sophisticated exploitation requirements despite available POCs.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A local authenticated attacker with standard user privileges creates an AF_ALG socket to access the kernel's algif_aead interface and crafts malicious AEAD cryptographic operation requests with overlapping memory mappings. By exploiting the improper in-place operation handling, the attacker corrupts kernel memory structures to overwrite security-critical data such as credentials or function pointers. This achieves arbitrary kernel code execution with root privileges, allowing full system compromise including disabling security mechanisms, accessing all data, and establishing persistence.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: In CISA KEV with patch available.
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV) Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAIv6 – Apr 30, 2026

Memory corruption in Linux kernel's algif_aead cryptographic interface allows local authenticated users to achieve arbitrary kernel memory read/write, leading to privilege escalation to root. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of in-place operations introduced in commit 72548b093ee3, affecting kernel versions from 4.14 through 6.19.x. Multiple public exploit codes exist including proof-of-concept demonstrations from security researchers, with EPSS score of 0.01% indicating currently low widespread exploitation likelihood despite POC availability.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Apr 27, 2026 - 14:24 CVSS 7.8

Local privilege escalation in Linux kernel crypto subsystem (algif_aead) affects versions 4.14 through 6.19.x via flawed in-place crypto operations introduced in commit 72548b093ee3. CVSS 7.8 indicates high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability with low attack complexity requiring only local low-privileged access. EPSS score of 0.01% (1st percentile) suggests minimal observed exploitation activity. Patches available in stable kernel versions 6.18.22, 6.19.12, and mainline 7.0 via upstream commits reverting the problematic in-place operation logic.

RemediationAI

Upgrade to patched kernel versions: 6.18.22, 6.19.12, or 7.0 and later from https://git.kernel.org/stable/. The fix reverts the problematic in-place operation logic in algif_aead while preserving associated data copying efficiency. For systems unable to immediately patch, restrict access to /proc/crypto and AF_ALG socket creation by disabling CONFIG_CRYPTO_USER_API_AEAD at compile time or using kernel module blacklisting for algif_aead (modprobe blacklist). This prevents userspace from invoking the vulnerable code path entirely but breaks applications depending on userspace AEAD operations (some VPN clients, custom crypto implementations). AppArmor or SELinux policies can restrict CAP_NET_ADMIN capability required for AF_ALG socket operations to trusted processes only, though this may impact legitimate cryptographic software. Monitor for unusual AF_ALG socket activity via auditd rules on socket(AF_ALG) syscalls. Compensating controls have significant functional impact - prioritize kernel patching over workarounds.

Affected VersionsENISA

Linux 4.14
Linux patch: 6.18.22
Linux patch: 6.19.12
Linux patch: 0
Linux patch: 7.0
Linux 72548b093ee38a6d4f2a19e6ef1948ae05c181f7 <a664bf3d603dc3bdcf9ae47cc21e0daec706d7a5
Linux 72548b093ee38a6d4f2a19e6ef1948ae05c181f7 <fafe0fa2995a0f7073c1c358d7d3145bcc9aedd8
Linux 72548b093ee38a6d4f2a19e6ef1948ae05c181f7 <ce42ee423e58dffa5ec03524054c9d8bfd4f6237

Affected Packages

euvd linux no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The algif_aead interface provides userspace access to kernel AEAD (Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data) cryptographic operations through AF_ALG sockets. The vulnerability exists in the kernel's crypto subsystem where commit 72548b093ee3 attempted to optimize performance by processing data in-place rather than copying between source and destination buffers. This optimization introduced CWE-669 (Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres) violations, creating memory mapping confusion between userspace and kernel address spaces. The cryptographic API's handling of associated data and the interaction between different memory mappings allows crafted operations to corrupt kernel memory structures. Affected products identified via CPE include Linux kernel versions starting from 4.14, with patches targeting stable branches 6.18.22, 6.19.12, and mainline 7.0.

Know when the next one hits your stack

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

No credit card · 7-day full trial

Severity by source

Vendor (Linux) PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
SUSE HIGH
Red Hat 7.8 HIGH

Primary rating from Vendor (Linux).

CVSS VectorVendor: Linux

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

12
Added to CISA KEV
May 04, 2026 - 18:16 cisa
CISA KEV
CIRCL Exploitation Confirmed
May 04, 2026 - 18:16 circl
CIRCL KEV
PoC Detected
May 04, 2026 - 18:16 vuln.today
Public exploit code
Patch released
May 04, 2026 - 18:16 nvd
Patch available
Added to CISA KEV
May 01, 2026 - 19:02 CISA
Patch released
May 01, 2026 - 06:00 NVD
article_added
Apr 30, 2026 - 10:05 vuln.today
trending_spike
Apr 30, 2026 - 10:05 vuln.today
Started Trending
Apr 30, 2026 - 10:04 vuln.today
14.4
exploit_published
Apr 29, 2026 - 00:00 copy.fail
CVSS changed
Apr 27, 2026 - 14:22 NVD
7.8 (HIGH)
CVE Published
Apr 22, 2026 - 08:15 nvd
HIGH 7.8

DescriptionCVE.org

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

crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-place

This mostly reverts commit 72548b093ee3 except for the copying of the associated data.

There is no benefit in operating in-place in algif_aead since the source and destination come from different mappings. Get rid of all the complexity added for in-place operation and just copy the AD directly.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-31431 is a high-severity Linux kernel memory corruption vulnerability in the cryptographic interface that allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges to root. Organizations running affected kernel versions (4.14-6.19.x) face immediate risk of complete system compromise if an attacker gains local access, making this critical for infrastructure hosting sensitive workloads.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigation: Restrict cryptographic interface (algif_aead) access via SELinux or AppArmor policies; disable the af_alg socket family if cryptographic offloading is not required; enforce strict local user access controls and regularly audit user accounts with local shell access; monitor kernel logs for suspicious memory access patterns.

Threat Intelligence Overview

Threat Score
6.6/10
Composite threat intelligence
EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 99% exploitable
CIRCL KEV
Listed
Community Exploited Vulnerability
Threat Intel
13
1 sources
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
12 sources
Confidence: High

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV Yes
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat Yes
Deciding rule
In CISA KEV with patch available
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

134
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: +50
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +39
PoC: +20
Weaponized: +15
Threat intel: +10
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Vendor StatusVendor

SUSE

Severity: High
Product Status
Container suse/sl-micro/6.0/base-os-container:2.1.3-7.140 Container suse/sl-micro/6.1/base-os-container:2.2.1-5.127 Affected
Container suse/sl-micro/6.0/kvm-os-container:2.1.3-6.156 Container suse/sl-micro/6.1/kvm-os-container:2.2.1-5.128 Affected
Container suse/sl-micro/6.0/rt-os-container:2.1.3-7.170 Container suse/sl-micro/6.1/rt-os-container:2.2.1-5.118 Affected
Container suse/sle-micro/base-5.5:2.0.4-5.8.270 Affected
Container suse/sle-micro/kvm-5.5:2.0.4-3.5.520 Affected

Threat IntelligenceMISP

Sources: Security News RSS, CERT-EU, CERT/CC, AWS, Metasploit/Nuclei, Fortinet PSIRT, CISA (public domain), Microsoft MSRC

References

Advisories & patches
PATCH https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a664bf3d603dc3bdcf9ae47cc21e0daec706d7a5 PATCH https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ce42ee423e58dffa5ec03524054c9d8bfd4f6237 PATCH https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fafe0fa2995a0f7073c1c358d7d3145bcc9aedd8 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/29/23 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/29/25 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/29/26 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/10 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/11 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/2 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/5 ADVISORY http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/6 ADVISORY https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13565 ADVISORY https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13566 ADVISORY https://copy.fail ADVISORY https://fortiguard.fortinet.com/psirt/FG-IR-26-139 ADVISORY https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-31431 ADVISORY https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2026/q3/230 ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8277-1 ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8278-1 ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8279-1 ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8280-1 ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8281-1 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/vuln/358784 ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1669/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1670/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1671/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1672/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1674/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1675/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1676/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1677/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:1678/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21421/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21439/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21442/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21443/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21453/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21454/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21458/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21459/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21460/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21463/ ADVISORY https://www.suse.com/support/update/SUSE-SU-2026:21465/ REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/12 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/14 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/15 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/16 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/17 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/18 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/30/20 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/10 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/12 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/15 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/16 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/17 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/18 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/2 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/22 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/23 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/24 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/3 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/14 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/15 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/16 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/17 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/18 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/19 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/20 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/21 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/23 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/24 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/25 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/4 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/5 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/6 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/7 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/02/8 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/10 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/12 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/13 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/3 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/4 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/5 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/03/6 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/1 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/10 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/11 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/12 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/13 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/14 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/2 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/24 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/27 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/28 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/29 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/31 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/8 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/04/9 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/06/5 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/07/12 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/07/2 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/08/13 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/18/3 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13577 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13578 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13681 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13690 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13727 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13729 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13734 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13811 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13862 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13885 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13887 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13932 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13936 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14097 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14112 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14137 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14165 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14230 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14301 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14339 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14773 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14926 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:15087 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:15976 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:15978 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16018 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16063 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16111 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16208 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16209 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16210 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19074 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19225 REF https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:33486 REF https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-31431 REF https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2026-31431#cve-details-mitigation REF https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2460538 REF https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html REF https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.html REF https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-265688.html REF https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-328642.html REF https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/19d43105a97be0810edbda875f2cd03f30dc130c REF https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3115af9644c342b356f3f07a4dd1c8905cd9a6fc REF https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/893d22e0135fa394db81df88697fba6032747667 REF https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8b88d99341f139e23bdeb1027a2a3ae10d341d82 REF https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/961cfa271a918ad4ae452420e7c303149002875b REF https://lore.kernel.org/linux-cve-announce/2026042214-CVE-2026-31431-3d65@gregkh/ REF https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-31431.json REF https://websec.net/blog/cve-2026-31431-linux-algifaead-page-cache-write-to-root-69f38a4ccddd2db1f520f170 REF https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-31431 REF https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/260001 REF https://xint.io/blog/copy-fail-linux-distributions#the-fix-6

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy