CVE-2026-31454 xfs: save ailp before dropping the AIL lock in push callbacks
A use-after-free in the Linux kernel XFS filesystem allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges via crafted filesystem operations.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-31454?
CVE-2026-31454 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 22 Apr 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
xfs: save ailp before dropping the AIL lock in push callbacks
In xfs_inode_item_push() and xfs_qm_dquot_logitem_push(), the AIL lock is dropped to perform buffer IO. Once the cluster buffer no longer protects the log item from reclaim, the log item may be freed by background reclaim or the dquot shrinker. The subsequent spin_lock() call dereferences lip->li_ailp, which is a use-after-free.
Fix this by saving the ailp pointer in a local variable while the AIL lock is held and the log item is guaranteed to be valid.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-31454?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-31454?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-31454 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-31454 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as AZL-83270, BELL-CVE-2026-31454, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-31454, GHSA-r4xh-pf27-fwp5, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2026-31454, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-31454 and 4 more.