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CVE Record

CVE-2026-31488: drm/amd/display: Do not skip unrelated mode changes in DSC validation

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amd/display: Do not skip unrelated mode changes in DSC validation Starting with commit 17ce8a6907f7 ("drm/amd/display: Add dsc pre-validation in atomic check"), amdgpu resets the CRTC state mode_changed flag to false when recomputing the DSC configuration results in no timing change for a particular stream. However, this is incorrect in scenarios where a change in MST/DSC configuration happens in the same KMS commit as another (unrelated) mode change. For example, the integrated panel of a laptop may be configured differently (e.g., HDR enabled/disabled) depending on whether external screens are attached. In this case, plugging in external DP-MST screens may result in the mode_changed flag being dropped incorrectly for the integrated panel if its DSC configuration did not change during precomputation in pre_validate_dsc(). At this point, however, dm_update_crtc_state() has already created new streams for CRTCs with DSC-independent mode changes. In turn, amdgpu_dm_commit_streams() will never release the old stream, resulting in a memory leak. amdgpu_dm_atomic_commit_tail() will never acquire a reference to the new stream either, which manifests as a use-after-free when the stream gets disabled later on: BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in dc_stream_release+0x25/0x90 [amdgpu] Write of size 4 at addr ffff88813d836524 by task kworker/9:9/29977 Workqueue: events drm_mode_rmfb_work_fn Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x6e/0xa0 print_address_description.constprop.0+0x88/0x320 ? dc_stream_release+0x25/0x90 [amdgpu] print_report+0xfc/0x1ff ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __virt_addr_valid+0x225/0x4e0 ? dc_stream_release+0x25/0x90 [amdgpu] kasan_report+0xe1/0x180 ? dc_stream_release+0x25/0x90 [amdgpu] kasan_check_range+0x125/0x200 dc_stream_release+0x25/0x90 [amdgpu] dc_state_destruct+0x14d/0x5c0 [amdgpu] dc_state_release.part.0+0x4e/0x130 [amdgpu] dm_atomic_destroy_state+0x3f/0x70 [amdgpu] drm_atomic_state_default_clear+0x8ee/0xf30 ? drm_mode_object_put.part.0+0xb1/0x130 __drm_atomic_state_free+0x15c/0x2d0 atomic_remove_fb+0x67e/0x980 Since there is no reliable way of figuring out whether a CRTC has unrelated mode changes pending at the time of DSC validation, remember the value of the mode_changed flag from before the point where a CRTC was marked as potentially affected by a change in DSC configuration. Reset the mode_changed flag to this earlier value instead in pre_validate_dsc(). (cherry picked from commit cc7c7121ae082b7b82891baa7280f1ff2608f22b)

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-31488 is a Linux kernel AMD display driver flaw. Under specific display reconfiguration conditions, the driver can mishandle internal display stream state, causing a memory leak and later use-after-free. The assigned CVSS score is 7.8 because successful local exploitation could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority for Linux desktop, engineering workstation, and shared lab fleets with AMD graphics. It is not currently evidenced as internet-exploited, but the impact rating and kernel memory-safety nature justify prompt patching during the next urgent endpoint maintenance cycle.

Technical view

The issue is in drm/amd/display DSC validation. pre_validate_dsc() can incorrectly clear mode_changed during a KMS commit combining MST/DSC changes with unrelated mode changes. Later commit handling may retain an old stream and miss a new reference, leading to memory leak and use-after-free in dc_stream_release.

Likely exposure

Most relevant exposure is Linux systems using affected kernels with AMDGPU display support, especially laptops or workstations using internal panels with external DisplayPort MST/DSC displays. Headless servers or systems without AMD display hardware are less likely exposed, but kernel package status should drive final scope.

Exploitation context

The source bundle marks KEV as false, and no provided source states active exploitation. CVSS indicates local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The public description demonstrates the crash condition with KASAN, but does not provide exploit maturity evidence.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on the AMDGPU display path and kernel versions containing commit 17ce8a6907f7 before the cited fixes. The triggering scenario involves combined DSC/MST and unrelated mode changes in one atomic commit. Evidence is sufficient for root cause and remediation direction, but exploitability details remain incomplete in the provided sources.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel or distribution updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Use Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:30848, RHSA-2026:27353, and RHSA-2026:27354 where applicable.
  • Check vendor kernel guidance if running non-Red Hat distributions or custom kernels.
  • Prioritize systems with AMD GPUs and exposed local multi-user access.
  • Temporarily reduce untrusted local access on affected workstations until patched.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and AMDGPU display usage across endpoints.
  • Check whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
  • Review vendor advisory status for each distribution and kernel stream.
  • Search logs for amdgpu, KASAN, drm, or dc_stream_release use-after-free indicators.
  • Confirm patched systems boot the updated kernel, not an older installed kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
12

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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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-1288: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-31488 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
1ADP providers
13Source links

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-31488Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/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. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  3. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  4. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

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

ADP provider summaries

redhat-SADPkernel: drm/amd/display: Do not skip unrelated mode changes in DSC validation
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux17ce8a6907f77b7ac97ddaa071d8a1f6e06ce85b, 17ce8a6907f77b7ac97ddaa071d8a1f6e06ce85b, 17ce8a6907f77b7ac97ddaa071d8a1f6e06ce85b, 17ce8a6907f77b7ac97ddaa071d8a1f6e06ce85b, 17ce8a6907f77b7ac97ddaa071d8a1f6e06ce85b, 17ce8a6907f77b7ac97ddaa071d8a1f6e06ce85bunaffected
LinuxLinux5.18, 0, 6.1.175, 6.6.140, 6.12.80, 6.18.21, 6.19.11, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-1288 · source CWE mapping

Improper Validation of Consistency within Input

Improper Validation of Consistency within Input represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.