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CVE Record

CVE-2026-31703: writeback: Fix use after free in inode_switch_wbs_work_fn()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: writeback: Fix use after free in inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() has a loop like: wb_get(new_wb); while (1) { list = llist_del_all(&new_wb->switch_wbs_ctxs); /* Nothing to do? */ if (!list) break; ... process the items ... } Now adding of items to the list looks like: wb_queue_isw() if (llist_add(&isw->list, &wb->switch_wbs_ctxs)) queue_work(isw_wq, &wb->switch_work); Because inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() loops when processing isw items, it can happen that wb->switch_work is pending while wb->switch_wbs_ctxs is empty. This is a problem because in that case wb can get freed (no isw items -> no wb reference) while the work is still pending causing use-after-free issues. We cannot just fix this by cancelling work when freeing wb because that could still trigger problematic 0 -> 1 transitions on wb refcount due to wb_get() in inode_switch_wbs_work_fn(). It could be all handled with more careful code but that seems unnecessarily complex so let's avoid that until it is proven that the looping actually brings practical benefit. Just remove the loop from inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() instead. That way when wb_queue_isw() queues work, we are guaranteed we have added the first item to wb->switch_wbs_ctxs and nobody is going to remove it (and drop the wb reference it holds) until the queued work runs.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel writeback race can leave queued work referencing memory that has already been freed. A low-privilege local user may be able to trigger kernel memory corruption, potentially causing system compromise or crashes. This is important for shared, multi-user, and other systems where untrusted users can execute local code.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority kernel update for systems permitting untrusted local code execution. Prioritize shared and multi-user infrastructure, then validate vendor-specific exposure elsewhere. There is no supplied evidence of active exploitation, so urgency should reflect local-access opportunities and business criticality.

Technical view

A race in inode_switch_wbs_work_fn() can leave switch_work pending after switch_wbs_ctxs becomes empty. The associated writeback object may then lose its final reference and be freed before the queued worker runs, producing a use-after-free. The referenced stable fixes remove the processing loop so queued work retains the list-held reference until execution.

Likely exposure

Potentially exposed systems are those running kernels the supplied record marks affected: 6.18, 6.18.25, 7.0.2, and 7.1. Its additional version entry of "0" is ambiguous. Distribution backports may alter exposure, so package-level vendor confirmation is necessary.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction. Successful exploitation could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The source bundle reports no KEV listing and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit.

Researcher notes

The supplied version data is not a clean release range: it includes an ambiguous "0" entry and commit hashes marked unaffected. Multiple stable-tree fixes are referenced, suggesting branch-specific backports. Researchers and vulnerability managers should rely on commit inclusion and distribution advisories rather than version-string comparison alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the applicable vendor kernel update containing a referenced stable fix.
  • Follow distribution guidance to activate the corrected kernel.
  • Until updated, restrict low-privilege local access to affected systems.
  • Check vendor advisories for package-specific status and backports.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel releases across potentially exposed systems.
  • Compare installed packages with vendor advisories and the supplied affected-version data.
  • Confirm the deployed build incorporates a referenced fix or vendor backport.
  • Verify systems run the corrected kernel after maintenance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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-825: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-31703 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
10Source 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
7CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H15.9redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-31703Attack 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: writeback: Fix use after free in inode_switch_wbs_work_fn()
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z: Made public.
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxd072b38a64ddbc2d58c2e525a24af24ecbfebcb7, ac7b2c21f2269d815ad0cdf0f8258d55185b805c, fabfc1fcddc5d8185722d4fde5f0968c4760b71e, e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b, e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820b, e1b849cfa6b61f1c866a908c9e8dd9b5aaab820bunaffected
LinuxLinux6.18, 0, 6.18.25, 7.0.2, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-825 · source CWE mapping

Expired Pointer Dereference

Expired Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.