Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: skb: fix cross-cache free of KFENCE-allocated skb head
SKB_SMALL_HEAD_CACHE_SIZE is intentionally set to a non-power-of-2
value (e.g. 704 on x86_64) to avoid collisions with generic kmalloc
bucket sizes. This ensures that skb_kfree_head() can reliably use
skb_end_offset to distinguish skb heads allocated from
skb_small_head_cache vs. generic kmalloc caches.
However, when KFENCE is enabled, kfence_ksize() returns the exact
requested allocation size instead of the slab bucket size. If a caller
(e.g. bpf_test_init) allocates skb head data via kzalloc() and the
requested size happens to equal SKB_SMALL_HEAD_CACHE_SIZE, then
slab_build_skb() -> ksize() returns that exact value. After subtracting
skb_shared_info overhead, skb_end_offset ends up matching
SKB_SMALL_HEAD_HEADROOM, causing skb_kfree_head() to incorrectly free
the object to skb_small_head_cache instead of back to the original
kmalloc cache, resulting in a slab cross-cache free:
kmem_cache_free(skbuff_small_head): Wrong slab cache. Expected
skbuff_small_head but got kmalloc-1k
Fix this by always calling kfree(head) in skb_kfree_head(). This keeps
the free path generic and avoids allocator-specific misclassification
for KFENCE objects.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 6.3 | 6.6.136 |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 6.19.13-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 6.12.85-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Nvidia-BlueField 24.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 6.8.0-1028.33 | — |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-nvidia | 7.0.0-1006.6 | — |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux +8 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux | 6.8.0-136.136 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-aws | 6.8.0-1061.64 | USN-8595-2 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-azure | 6.8.0-1063.71 | USN-8606-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde | 6.8.0-1062.69 | USN-8607-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 6.8.0-1064.72 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gke | 6.8.0-1059.67 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 6.8.0-1046.50 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 6.8.0-1061.62 | USN-8574-3 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency | 6.8.0-136.136.2 | USN-8574-2 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia | 6.8.0-1059.62 | USN-8596-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-lowlatency | 6.8.0-1059.62.1 | USN-8596-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra | 6.8.0-1030.31 | USN-8574-3 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 6.8.0-1058.61 | USN-8574-2 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 6.8.0-1061.65 | USN-8665-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-riscv +27 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-vmware | 6.8.0-1008.8 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-xilinx | 6.8.0-1033.34 | USN-8574-3 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-aws-6.8 | 6.8.0-1061.64~22.04.1 | USN-8595-3 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-6.8 | 6.8.0-1063.71~22.04.1 | USN-8606-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-6.8 | 6.8.0-1062.69~22.04.1 | USN-8609-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp-6.8 | 6.8.0-1064.72~22.04.1 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-hwe-6.8 | 6.8.0-136.136~22.04.1 | USN-8619-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-ibm-6.8 | 6.8.0-1061.62~22.04.1 | USN-8574-3 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 | 6.8.0-136.136.2~22.04.1 | USN-8574-2 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-6.8 | 6.8.0-1059.62~22.04.1 | USN-8596-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-oracle-6.8 | 6.8.0-1058.61~22.04.1 | USN-8595-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +32 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv-6.8 | 6.8.0-136.136~22.04.3 | — |
Show 6 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +28 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | 6.8.0-2050.52 | USN-8665-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 6.8.1-1056.57 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime-6.14 +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime-6.8 | 6.8.1-1056.57~22.04.2 | USN-8567-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 6.8.0-1061.64+fips1 | USN-8595-3 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 6.8.0-1063.71+fips2 | USN-8608-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-fips | 6.8.0-136.136+fips2 | USN-8574-2 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 24.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 6.8.0-1064.72+fips1 | USN-8574-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP7 | kernel-64kb +7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.63.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:2722-1 |
| SLES 15 SP7 | kernel-default-base | 6.4.0-150700.53.63.1.150700.17.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:2722-1 |
Show 7 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-64kb +8 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1 |
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.36.1.160000.2.17 | SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-64kb +8 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1, SUSE-SU-2026:22812-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.36.1.160000.2.17 | SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.36.1.160000.2.17 | SUSE-SU-2026:22769-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-rt +5 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:22769-1, SUSE-SU-2026:22742-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.1 | kernel-default-base | 6.4.0-48.1.21.25 | SUSE-SU-2026:22460-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.1 | kernel-rt +4 | 6.4.0-48.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:22460-1, SUSE-SU-2026:22458-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.4.0-48.1.21.25 | SUSE-SU-2026:22436-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.0 | kernel-rt +4 | 6.4.0-48.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:22436-1, SUSE-SU-2026:22433-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP7 | kernel-default | 6.4.0-150700.53.63.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:2722-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP7 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP7-RT_Update_17 | 1-150700.1.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:2799-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP7 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP7_Update_17 | 1-150700.15.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:2722-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP7 | kernel-rt +2 | 6.4.0-150700.7.62.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:2799-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 16.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.36.1.160000.2.17 | openSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 16.0 | kernel-rt +11 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | openSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2023 | kernel-livepatch-6.18.25-55.108 +1 | 1:1.0-0.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2026-1695, ALAS2023-2026-1693 |
| Amazon Linux 2023 | perf6.12 +11 | 1:6.12.83-113.160.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2026-1695 |
| Amazon Linux 2023 | perf6.18 +11 | 1:6.18.25-55.108.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2026-1693 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 9 | kernel-uek +34 | 6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el10uek | ELSA-2026-50372 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
GitHub 1 repository
-
bluedragonsecurity/CVE-2026-31429-POC ★ 1 · Apr 24, 2026
POC for CVE-2026-31429 (Linux Kernel >= 6.3 < 6.12.82 Slab Cross-Cache Confusion) - vulnerability discovered by Antonius - w1sdom - bluedragonsec.com
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 29
- USN-8574-3 linux-ibm, linux-ibm-6.8, linux-nvidia-tegra, linux-xilinx vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8595-3 linux-aws-6.8, linux-aws-fips vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8574-2 linux-fips, linux-lowlatency, linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8, linux-oracle vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8596-1 linux-nvidia, linux-nvidia-6.8, linux-nvidia-lowlatency vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8665-1 linux-raspi, linux-raspi-realtime vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8608-1 linux-azure-fips vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8574-1 linux-gcp-fips vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8595-2 linux-aws vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8595-1 linux-oracle-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 9, 2026
- USN-8567-1 linux, linux-gcp, linux-gcp-6.8, linux-gke, linux-gkeop, linux-realtime, linux-realtime-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 7, 2026
- USN-8606-1 linux-azure, linux-azure-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 7, 2026
- USN-8607-1 linux-azure-fde vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 7, 2026
- USN-8619-1 linux-hwe-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 7, 2026
- USN-8609-1 linux-azure-fde-6.8 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 7, 2026
- WID-SEC-2026-1180 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Aug 26, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22812-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 28, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 24, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22769-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22742-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:2799-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22458-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22460-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22433-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 3, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:22436-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 3, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:2722-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 2, 2026
- ELSA-2026-50372 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 9) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jul 2, 2026
- ALAS2023-2026-1693 Important: kernel6.18 security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · May 19, 2026
- ALAS2023-2026-1695 Important: kernel6.12 security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · May 19, 2026
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/128b03ccb2582a643983a48a37fda58df80edbde
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/60313768a8edc7094435975587c00c2d7b834083
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d64618ea846d8d033477311f805ca487d6a6696
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/474e00b935db250cac320d10c1d3cf4e44b46721
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f42e3f4fe2a58394e37241d02d9ca6ab7b7d516