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CVE Record

CVE-2026-31706: ksmbd: validate num_aces and harden ACE walk in smb_inherit_dacl()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: validate num_aces and harden ACE walk in smb_inherit_dacl() smb_inherit_dacl() trusts the on-disk num_aces value from the parent directory's DACL xattr and uses it to size a heap allocation: aces_base = kmalloc(sizeof(struct smb_ace) * num_aces * 2, ...); num_aces is a u16 read from le16_to_cpu(parent_pdacl->num_aces) without checking that it is consistent with the declared pdacl_size. An authenticated client whose parent directory's security.NTACL is tampered (e.g. via offline xattr corruption or a concurrent path that bypasses parse_dacl()) can present num_aces = 65535 with minimal actual ACE data. This causes a ~8 MB allocation (not kzalloc, so uninitialized) that the subsequent loop only partially populates, and may also overflow the three-way size_t multiply on 32-bit kernels. Additionally, the ACE walk loop uses the weaker offsetof(struct smb_ace, access_req) minimum size check rather than the minimum valid on-wire ACE size, and does not reject ACEs whose declared size is below the minimum. Reproduced on UML + KASAN + LOCKDEP against the real ksmbd code path. A legitimate mount.cifs client creates a parent directory over SMB (ksmbd writes a valid security.NTACL xattr), then the NTACL blob on the backing filesystem is rewritten to set num_aces = 0xFFFF while keeping the posix_acl_hash bytes intact so ksmbd_vfs_get_sd_xattr()'s hash check still passes. A subsequent SMB2 CREATE of a child under that parent drives smb2_open() into smb_inherit_dacl() (share has "vfs objects = acl_xattr" set), which fails the page allocator: WARNING: mm/page_alloc.c:5226 at __alloc_frozen_pages_noprof+0x46c/0x9c0 Workqueue: ksmbd-io handle_ksmbd_work __alloc_frozen_pages_noprof+0x46c/0x9c0 ___kmalloc_large_node+0x68/0x130 __kmalloc_large_node_noprof+0x24/0x70 __kmalloc_noprof+0x4c9/0x690 smb_inherit_dacl+0x394/0x2430 smb2_open+0x595d/0xabe0 handle_ksmbd_work+0x3d3/0x1140 With the patch applied the added guard rejects the tampered value with -EINVAL before any large allocation runs, smb2_open() falls back to smb2_create_sd_buffer(), and the child is created with a default SD. No warning, no splat. Fix by: 1. Validating num_aces against pdacl_size using the same formula applied in parse_dacl(). 2. Replacing the raw kmalloc(sizeof * num_aces * 2) with kmalloc_array(num_aces * 2, sizeof(...)) for overflow-safe allocation. 3. Tightening the per-ACE loop guard to require the minimum valid ACE size (offsetof(smb_ace, sid) + CIFS_SID_BASE_SIZE) and rejecting under-sized ACEs, matching the hardening in smb_check_perm_dacl() and parse_dacl(). v1 -> v2: - Replace the synthetic test-module splat in the changelog with a real-path UML + KASAN reproduction driven through mount.cifs and SMB2 CREATE; Namjae flagged the kcifs3_test_inherit_dacl_old name in v1 since it does not exist in ksmbd. - Drop the commit-hash citation from the code comment per Namjae's review; keep the parse_dacl() pointer.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in Linux’s ksmbd SMB server can trust corrupted access-control metadata and make an excessive memory allocation when creating a child item. An authenticated SMB user may trigger the vulnerable path, but the parent directory’s security.NTACL data must first be tampered with through offline corruption or another path bypassing validation.

Executive priority

Prioritize expedited remediation for systems exposing ksmbd to authenticated users, especially where backing-filesystem metadata can be modified outside normal validation. The documented result is service disruption, while the CVSS score is 8.8. Systems not running ksmbd or lacking the prerequisite ACL path have materially lower urgency.

Technical view

smb_inherit_dacl() fails to validate num_aces against the DACL xattr size before allocation and inadequately validates individual ACE sizes. A crafted value can cause an approximately 8 MB allocation, partially initialized memory, or multiplication overflow on 32-bit kernels. The cited fixes add bounds validation, overflow-safe allocation, and stricter ACE parsing.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels running ksmbd where the relevant ACL xattr behavior is used. The demonstrated path requires an authenticated client, a share configured with acl_xattr behavior, and previously tampered parent security.NTACL metadata. The supplied version list is ambiguous, so deployed kernels require vendor-specific confirmation.

Exploitation context

The source describes successful reproduction through the real ksmbd path using UML, KASAN, mount.cifs, and SMB2 CREATE. It demonstrates an allocator warning and denial-of-service potential. KEV is false, and the bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation. Confidentiality, integrity, or code-execution impact was not demonstrated.

Researcher notes

The essential prerequisite is inconsistent on-disk DACL metadata: num_aces can greatly exceed the ACE data declared by pdacl_size. The patch validates that relationship, uses kmalloc_array(), and enforces a minimum on-wire ACE size. The evidence establishes allocator failure; broader confidentiality and integrity effects implied by CVSS remain unproven in the supplied material.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable cited stable fix.
  • Confirm kernel remediation status with the operating-system vendor because the supplied affected-version data is ambiguous.
  • Restrict authenticated SMB access to trusted users while patching is pending.
  • Investigate and correct unauthorized or corrupted security.NTACL extended attributes on SMB backing storage.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems running ksmbd and identify their exact kernel builds.
  • Determine whether SMB shares use the relevant acl_xattr configuration and inherited DACL path.
  • Verify the kernel includes the applicable stable fix or vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for allocation warnings referencing smb_inherit_dacl or ksmbd workqueues.
  • Assess whether any process can modify security.NTACL metadata without normal DACL validation.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source 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
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-31706Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/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. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

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Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxe2f34481b24db2fd634b5edb0a5bd0e4d38cc6e9, e2f34481b24db2fd634b5edb0a5bd0e4d38cc6e9, e2f34481b24db2fd634b5edb0a5bd0e4d38cc6e9, e2f34481b24db2fd634b5edb0a5bd0e4d38cc6e9unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 6.12.84, 6.18.25, 7.0.2, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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