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CVE Record

CVE-2026-31742: vt: discard stale unicode buffer on alt screen exit after resize

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vt: discard stale unicode buffer on alt screen exit after resize When enter_alt_screen() saves vc_uni_lines into vc_saved_uni_lines and sets vc_uni_lines to NULL, a subsequent console resize via vc_do_resize() skips reallocating the unicode buffer because vc_uni_lines is NULL. However, vc_saved_uni_lines still points to the old buffer allocated for the original dimensions. When leave_alt_screen() later restores vc_saved_uni_lines, the buffer dimensions no longer match vc_rows/vc_cols. Any operation that iterates over the unicode buffer using the current dimensions (e.g. csi_J clearing the screen) will access memory out of bounds, causing a kernel oops: BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: 0x0000002000000020 RIP: 0010:csi_J+0x133/0x2d0 The faulting address 0x0000002000000020 is two adjacent u32 space characters (0x20) interpreted as a pointer, read from the row data area past the end of the 25-entry pointer array in a buffer allocated for 80x25 but accessed with 240x67 dimensions. Fix this by checking whether the console dimensions changed while in the alternate screen. If they did, free the stale saved buffer instead of restoring it. The unicode screen will be lazily rebuilt via vc_uniscr_check() when next needed.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux virtual-console memory handling flaw can occur when the alternate screen is exited after the console was resized. The kernel may use an old Unicode screen buffer with new dimensions, causing out-of-bounds memory access and a kernel crash. Exploitation requires local, low-privileged access; precise vulnerable release ranges are not provided.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority local kernel issue, especially on shared Linux systems with untrusted local users. Patch through supported distribution channels after confirming applicability. Internet-facing status alone does not determine exposure because the attack vector is local. Emergency isolation is not supported by the supplied exploitation evidence.

Technical view

The virtual-terminal code saves vc_uni_lines when entering the alternate screen. A resize does not rebuild that buffer because vc_uni_lines is NULL. Restoring the stale buffer afterward creates a dimensions mismatch, allowing later screen operations such as csi_J to access memory out of bounds. The fix discards the saved buffer when dimensions changed.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems using the kernel virtual-terminal console where a local low-privileged user can trigger alternate-screen transitions, console resizing, and subsequent screen operations. Headless systems may have less practical exposure, but the supplied sources do not establish complete affected-version boundaries or configuration prerequisites.

Exploitation context

The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation. The demonstrated outcome is an out-of-bounds kernel access and oops; reliable confidentiality or integrity impact is not established here.

Researcher notes

The correction checks whether alternate-screen dimensions changed and frees the stale saved Unicode buffer instead of restoring it; vc_uniscr_check() later rebuilds it. Three stable-kernel commits are referenced. The bundle labels 6.18.20 and 6.19.10 unaffected, but does not provide vulnerable introduction ranges or distribution package mappings.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor kernel update incorporating an identified Linux stable fix commit.
  • Prioritize multi-user systems where untrusted users can access virtual consoles.
  • Restrict unnecessary local console access until affected-version status is confirmed.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for package-specific fixed versions and reboot requirements.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernels on systems exposing local virtual-terminal access.
  • Compare kernel packages against vendor advisories and the referenced stable commits.
  • Confirm the running kernel, not only the installed package, contains the correction.
  • Review kernel logs for csi_J page faults or oops events following console resizing.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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-2026-31742 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
4Source 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-2026-31742Attack 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
LinuxLinuxc4efef65a46f610418a3f69149c51492d31c8591, 1cf66bd9127447c57295f5199029e8d8b47c6c67, 5eb608319bb56464674a71b4a66ea65c6c435d64unaffected
LinuxLinux6.18.20, 6.19.10unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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