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Linux Kernel EUVDEUVD-2026-24919

| CVE-2026-31527 HIGH
Use After Free (CWE-416)
2026-04-22 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
7.8
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain low-privilege local access
  2. Delivery
    Write to /sys/bus/platform/drivers/*/driver_override
  3. Exploit
    Trigger device probe via driver rebinding
  4. Execution
    Race condition: free driver_override during match()
  5. Persist
    Arbitrary kernel code execution
  6. Impact
    Privilege escalation to root

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Memory lifecycle management
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Execution, Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Requires local authenticated access with low-privilege user credentials (PR:L from CVSS vector) on a Linux system running vulnerable kernel versions 3.17 through 7.0-rc4. Attacker must have ability to interact with the sysfs platform driver interface, specifically write access to /sys/bus/platform/drivers/*/driver_override attributes, which is typically available to unprivileged local users in default Linux configurations. Exploitation depends on winning a race condition between concurrent driver_override manipulation and platform device probing in __driver_attach(), requiring the ability to trigger device probe operations (via driver binding/unbinding mechanisms accessible through sysfs). No special kernel configuration or non-default features required beyond standard platform driver subsystem being compiled into the kernel (default in all major distributions). Limiting factors include: local-only attack vector (no remote network exploitation path), requirement for authenticated access (cannot be exploited pre-authentication), and timing precision needed to win the race condition (may require multiple exploitation attempts). Systems with restricted sysfs access via namespace isolation, SELinux/AppArmor policies blocking driver_override writes, or user namespaces with limited device access have reduced exposure but are not immune if attackers achieve sufficient local privilege.

Impact

CVSS 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) indicates local attack vector with low complexity requiring low privileges, yielding high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. However, real-world exploitation risk appears significantly lower than the score suggests. EPSS 0.02% (5th percentile) shows minimal observed exploitation activity in the wild. No CISA KEV listing confirms this is not being actively exploited in targeted attacks. The local attack vector (AV:L) substantially reduces exposure compared to network-accessible vulnerabilities - exploitation requires existing authenticated access to the system. The low attack complexity (AC:L) and low privileges required (PR:L) are concerning from a post-compromise escalation perspective, but the need for local access limits initial attack surface. Patches are available across all active stable kernel branches (6.12.80, 6.18.21, 6.19.11, 7.0), indicating vendor responsiveness. SSVC analysis suggests defer priority for most organizations: exploitation is theoretical (no public POC identified), not automatable at scale (requires local access context), and patches exist. Priority should increase for high-security environments, container hosts, or multi-tenant systems where local privilege escalation poses greater risk. The vulnerability becomes concerning primarily in privilege escalation chains following initial compromise, not as a primary attack vector.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with low-privilege local access to a Linux system (such as a compromised web application service account or container escape) triggers a race condition by repeatedly manipulating the driver_override sysfs attribute while the platform driver core performs device probing. During the narrow window when __driver_attach() calls the bus match() callback without holding the device lock, the attacker frees the driver_override memory through a concurrent write operation, causing the match() function to reference freed memory (use-after-free). By controlling the freed memory contents through heap spraying or targeted allocation, the attacker redirects execution flow to achieve arbitrary kernel code execution with ring-0 privileges, enabling full system compromise, privilege escalation to root, persistence installation, or lateral movement to other systems. No public exploit code identified at time of analysis, but the low complexity (AC:L) suggests exploitation is feasible for skilled attackers once the race condition timing is mastered.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Apr 28, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel platform driver core allows local authenticated attackers to achieve high-severity impacts including code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service. The vulnerability stems from unsafe access to the driver_override field during device probing when the bus match() callback executes without device lock protection. Patches are available across multiple kernel branches (6.12.80, 6.18.21, 6.19.11, 7.0) per vendor commits. EPSS score of 0.02% (5th percentile) indicates low observed exploitation probability, and no CISA KEV listing exists, suggesting this remains a theoretical risk rather than actively exploited threat despite the high CVSS 7.8 score.

RemediationAI

Upgrade to patched Linux kernel versions: 6.12.80 or later for the 6.12.x series, 6.18.21 or later for 6.18.x, 6.19.11 or later for 6.19.x, or 7.0 or later for mainline. Distribution-specific updates should be applied via normal package management (apt, yum, dnf, zypper) as vendors incorporate these upstream commits into their kernel packages. Verify installed kernel version with 'uname -r' post-update and reboot to activate the new kernel. Patch commits are available at https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/edee7ee5a14c3b33f6d54641f5af5c5e9180992d (6.19.11), https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a6086d2a828dd2ff74cf9abcae456670febd71f (6.18.21), https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b38efc05bf7a8568ec74bfffea0f5cfa62bc01d (6.12.80), and https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7c02a9bd7d14a89065fcf672b86d8e1d1a41d3b1 (7.0). If immediate patching is infeasible, implement defense-in-depth controls: restrict local user access via least-privilege principles, disable unnecessary platform drivers via kernel module blacklisting if workload permits (trade-off: may break hardware functionality), enable kernel hardening features like KASLR and SMEP/SMAP if not already active (minimal performance overhead), and monitor for anomalous driver loading activity via auditd rules on /sys/bus/platform/drivers. These mitigations reduce but do not eliminate exploitation risk; kernel patching remains the definitive remediation.

Affected VersionsENISA

Linux 3d713e0e382e6fcfb4bba1501645b66c129ad60b <edee7ee5a14c3b33f6d54641f5af5c5e9180992d
Linux patch: 6.19.11
Linux 3d713e0e382e6fcfb4bba1501645b66c129ad60b <9a6086d2a828dd2ff74cf9abcae456670febd71f
Linux 3d713e0e382e6fcfb4bba1501645b66c129ad60b <2b38efc05bf7a8568ec74bfffea0f5cfa62bc01d
Linux 3d713e0e382e6fcfb4bba1501645b66c129ad60b <7c02a9bd7d14a89065fcf672b86d8e1d1a41d3b1
Linux patch: 6.12.80
Linux 3.17
Linux patch: 7.0
Linux patch: 6.18.21
Linux patch: 0

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

This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's platform driver core subsystem, specifically the driver probing mechanism in __driver_attach(). The root cause (CWE-416: Use After Free) occurs because the bus match() callback accesses the driver_override field without holding the device lock, creating a race condition where memory can be freed while still being referenced. The kernel design intentionally calls match() without the device lock for performance reasons, but this creates a window for UAF exploitation. The fix implements generic driver_override infrastructure from the driver core that provides proper internal locking mechanisms. CPE data indicates the vulnerability exists in mainline Linux kernel versions from 3.17 through 7.0-rc4, affecting a broad range of deployed systems. The commits referenced (3d713e0e382e through edee7ee5a14c, 9a6086d2a828, 2b38efc05bf7, 7c02a9bd7d14) show backports across stable kernel branches, indicating vendor acknowledgment of severity across supported versions.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
SUSE HIGH
Red Hat 5.5 MEDIUM

Primary rating from NVD.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

Lifecycle Timeline

4
CVSS changed
Apr 28, 2026 - 18:07 NVD
7.8 (HIGH)
Patch released
Apr 28, 2026 - 18:02 nvd
Patch available
Patch available
Apr 22, 2026 - 16:33 EUVD
CVE Published
Apr 22, 2026 - 14:16 nvd
HIGH 7.8

DescriptionNVD

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

driver core: platform: use generic driver_override infrastructure

When a driver is probed through __driver_attach(), the bus' match() callback is called without the device lock held, thus accessing the driver_override field without a lock, which can cause a UAF.

Fix this by using the driver-core driver_override infrastructure taking care of proper locking internally.

Note that calling match() from __driver_attach() without the device lock held is intentional. [1]

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-31527 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel platform driver core that allows authenticated local attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. Organizations running affected Linux kernel versions should prioritize patching, as the vulnerability affects core device probing logic; however, the 0.02% EPSS score and absence of active exploitation indicate this is currently a contained risk suitable for standard patch management cycles rather than emergency response.

Business Impact: Medium
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is impractical: restrict local user access through privilege boundaries, disable unnecessary platform device drivers via kernel configuration, monitor audit logs for suspicious device probe activity, and consider air-gapping or containerization of high-risk workloads pending kernel updates.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 95% exploitable
Data Quality
6 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 No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
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· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Medium

Priority Score

39
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +39
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to access memory through a pointer after that memory has been deallocated.

Memory corruption occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions or accesses memory in unintended ways, violating the integrity of the process's address space.

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
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP7 Fixed

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