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CVE Record

CVE-2026-31486: hwmon: (pmbus/core) Protect regulator operations with mutex

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: hwmon: (pmbus/core) Protect regulator operations with mutex The regulator operations pmbus_regulator_get_voltage(), pmbus_regulator_set_voltage(), and pmbus_regulator_list_voltage() access PMBus registers and shared data but were not protected by the update_lock mutex. This could lead to race conditions. However, adding mutex protection directly to these functions causes a deadlock because pmbus_regulator_notify() (which calls regulator_notifier_call_chain()) is often called with the mutex already held (e.g., from pmbus_fault_handler()). If a regulator callback then calls one of the now-protected voltage functions, it will attempt to acquire the same mutex. Rework pmbus_regulator_notify() to utilize a worker function to send notifications outside of the mutex protection. Events are stored as atomics in a per-page bitmask and processed by the worker. Initialize the worker and its associated data during regulator registration, and ensure it is cancelled on device removal using devm_add_action_or_reset(). While at it, remove the unnecessary include of linux/of.h.

HighCVSS 7.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux PMBus driver race can corrupt voltage-control behavior or crash affected systems when concurrent regulator operations access shared state. Exploitation requires local, low-privileged access according to the supplied CVSS vector. Confidentiality impact is not indicated, but integrity and availability impacts may be high.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority targeted kernel update, especially for shared systems or PMBus-managed appliances. It is not supported as an internet-wide emergency because access is local and active exploitation is unconfirmed. Use normal emergency-change processes where voltage integrity or uptime is safety-critical.

Technical view

PMBus voltage get, set, and list operations accessed registers and shared data without update_lock protection. The fix serializes those operations and moves regulator notifications to a worker, avoiding recursive mutex acquisition and deadlock. Events are retained in per-page atomic bitmasks until processed.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on affected Linux systems using PMBus hardware-monitoring regulator functionality. The supplied affected-version data is ambiguous and includes commit identifiers, so determine exposure using distribution advisories, kernel provenance, configuration, and inclusion of the referenced fixes.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes a local, low-complexity attack requiring low privileges and no user interaction. It indicates high integrity and availability impact without confidentiality impact. The bundle says KEV is false and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit.

Researcher notes

The security issue is the original unsynchronized access, while straightforward locking introduced a notifier re-entry deadlock. The resolution combines mutex protection with deferred notification processing. Exact vulnerable and fixed release boundaries cannot be reliably reconstructed from the supplied version list; assess individual stable-tree or distribution backports.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for corrected package versions and required reboot instructions.
  • Prioritize exposed multi-user or appliance systems that actively use PMBus regulator functionality.
  • Avoid inventing version thresholds; confirm backports through vendor package changelogs or source provenance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions, distributions, and package build identifiers.
  • Determine whether PMBus regulator drivers and relevant hardware are present and active.
  • Confirm the installed kernel source includes the applicable referenced stable commit.
  • After updating, verify the corrected kernel is running following any required reboot.
  • Regression-test concurrent voltage operations and regulator notifications in a safe hardware test environment.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-31486 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.1 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.1CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H1.85.2Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.1High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-31486Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxddbb4db4ced1ba784fcd3500179a7291b6c5d7b7, ddbb4db4ced1ba784fcd3500179a7291b6c5d7b7, ddbb4db4ced1ba784fcd3500179a7291b6c5d7b7, ddbb4db4ced1ba784fcd3500179a7291b6c5d7b7, ddbb4db4ced1ba784fcd3500179a7291b6c5d7b7unaffected
LinuxLinux3.19, 0, 6.6.143, 6.12.92, 6.18.21, 6.19.11, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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