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CVE Record

CVE-2026-31731: thermal: core: Address thermal zone removal races with resume

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: thermal: core: Address thermal zone removal races with resume Since thermal_zone_pm_complete() and thermal_zone_device_resume() re-initialize the poll_queue delayed work for the given thermal zone, the cancel_delayed_work_sync() in thermal_zone_device_unregister() may miss some already running work items and the thermal zone may be freed prematurely [1]. There are two failing scenarios that both start with running thermal_pm_notify_complete() right before invoking thermal_zone_device_unregister() for one of the thermal zones. In the first scenario, there is a work item already running for the given thermal zone when thermal_pm_notify_complete() calls thermal_zone_pm_complete() for that thermal zone and it continues to run when thermal_zone_device_unregister() starts. Since the poll_queue delayed work has been re-initialized by thermal_pm_notify_complete(), the running work item will be missed by the cancel_delayed_work_sync() in thermal_zone_device_unregister() and if it continues to run past the freeing of the thermal zone object, a use-after-free will occur. In the second scenario, thermal_zone_device_resume() queued up by thermal_pm_notify_complete() runs right after the thermal_zone_exit() called by thermal_zone_device_unregister() has returned. The poll_queue delayed work is re-initialized by it before cancel_delayed_work_sync() is called by thermal_zone_device_unregister(), so it may continue to run after the freeing of the thermal zone object, which also leads to a use-after-free. Address the first failing scenario by ensuring that no thermal work items will be running when thermal_pm_notify_complete() is called. For this purpose, first move the cancel_delayed_work() call from thermal_zone_pm_complete() to thermal_zone_pm_prepare() to prevent new work from entering the workqueue going forward. Next, switch over to using a dedicated workqueue for thermal events and update the code in thermal_pm_notify() to flush that workqueue after thermal_pm_notify_prepare() has returned which will take care of all leftover thermal work already on the workqueue (that leftover work would do nothing useful anyway because all of the thermal zones have been flagged as suspended). The second failing scenario is addressed by adding a tz->state check to thermal_zone_device_resume() to prevent it from re-initializing the poll_queue delayed work if the thermal zone is going away. Note that the above changes will also facilitate relocating the suspend and resume of thermal zones closer to the suspend and resume of devices, respectively.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A race in Linux thermal management can free a thermal-zone object while background work still uses it during resume and device removal. This use-after-free could undermine kernel confidentiality, integrity, or availability. The supplied CVSS score is 7.8 High and describes a local, low-privileged attack requiring no user interaction.

Executive priority

Treat this as expedited kernel maintenance, especially for systems allowing untrusted local users and exercising suspend or resume. It is high severity but not described as an internet-remote flaw, and active exploitation is not evidenced. Use distribution guidance to establish exact package exposure.

Technical view

During power-management completion, delayed thermal work can be reinitialized while thermal_zone_device_unregister() cancels work and frees the zone. Running or newly resumed work may then access freed memory. The fix changes cancellation timing, flushes a dedicated thermal workqueue, and prevents resume reinitialization when the zone is exiting.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels where power-management completion races thermal-zone unregistration. The bundled affected-version metadata is ambiguous; validate packaged kernels against distribution advisories and the listed stable commits rather than relying on version strings alone.

Exploitation context

The supplied record indicates no KEV listing, and the sources provide no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. The CVSS vector describes a local, low-complexity attack requiring low privileges and no user interaction. Triggerability depends on a timing race involving resume and thermal-zone removal.

Researcher notes

Two races are described: existing thermal work survives reinitialization and cancellation, or queued resume work reinitializes poll_queue after teardown begins. Both permit work after object release. No CWE is supplied. The commits strengthen workqueue synchronization and add a state guard, but the bundle does not establish practical exploitability.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable fix or backport.
  • Consult Linux distribution advisories to map affected upstream branches to packaged kernel releases.
  • Apply the relevant listed stable commit when maintaining a custom kernel.
  • Reduce untrusted local access if updating must be delayed, pending vendor-specific guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and compare them with Linux distribution advisories for this CVE.
  • Verify package changelogs or kernel sources contain the applicable stable fix.
  • Confirm each system boots the updated kernel after maintenance.
  • Review kernel crash logs for thermal-related use-after-free reports around resume events.
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

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-31731 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.

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

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-31731Attack 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. 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
LinuxLinux5a5efdaffda5d23717d9117cf36cda9eafcf2fae, 5a5efdaffda5d23717d9117cf36cda9eafcf2fae, 5a5efdaffda5d23717d9117cf36cda9eafcf2fae, 5a5efdaffda5d23717d9117cf36cda9eafcf2faeunaffected
LinuxLinux6.8, 0, 6.12.83, 6.18.22, 6.19.12, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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