CVE-2026-31421
Published: April 13, 2026· Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/sched: cls_fw: fix NULL pointer dereference on shared blocks
The old-method path in fw_classify() calls tcf_block_q() and
dereferences q->handle. Shared blocks leave block->q NULL, causing a
NULL deref when an empty cls_fw filter is attached to a shared block
and a packet with a nonzero major skb mark is classified.
Reject the configuration in fw_change() when the old method (no
TCA_OPTIONS) is used on a shared block, since fw_classify()'s
old-method path needs block->q which is NULL for shared blocks.
The fixed null-ptr-deref calling stack:
KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000038-0x000000000000003f]
RIP: 0010:fw_classify (net/sched/cls_fw.c:81)
Call Trace:
tcf_classify (./include/net/tc_wrapper.h:197 net/sched/cls_api.c:1764 net/sched/cls_api.c:1860)
tc_run (net/core/dev.c:4401)
__dev_queue_xmit (net/core/dev.c:4535 net/core/dev.c:4790)
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-31421 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (8)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-31421 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts