CVE-2026-31531
Published: April 23, 2026· Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ipv4: nexthop: allocate skb dynamically in rtm_get_nexthop()
When querying a nexthop object via RTM_GETNEXTHOP, the kernel currently
allocates a fixed-size skb using NLMSG_GOODSIZE. While sufficient for
single nexthops and small Equal-Cost Multi-Path groups, this fixed
allocation fails for large nexthop groups like 512 nexthops.
This results in the following warning splat:
WARNING: net/ipv4/nexthop.c:3395 at rtm_get_nexthop+0x176/0x1c0, CPU#20: rep/4608
[...]
RIP: 0010:rtm_get_nexthop (net/ipv4/nexthop.c:3395)
[...]
Call Trace:
<TASK>
rtnetlink_rcv_msg (net/core/rtnetlink.c:6989)
netlink_rcv_skb (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2550)
netlink_unicast (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1319 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1344)
netlink_sendmsg (net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1894)
____sys_sendmsg (net/socket.c:721 net/socket.c:736 net/socket.c:2585)
___sys_sendmsg (net/socket.c:2641)
__sys_sendmsg (net/socket.c:2671)
do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94)
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe (arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:130)
</TASK>
Fix this by allocating the size dynamically using nh_nlmsg_size() and
using nlmsg_new(), this is consistent with nexthop_notify() behavior. In
addition, adjust nh_nlmsg_size_grp() so it calculates the size needed
based on flags passed. While at it, also add the size of NHA_FDB for
nexthop group size calculation as it was missing too.
This cannot be reproduced via iproute2 as the group size is currently
limited and the command fails as follows:
addattr_l ERROR: message exceeded bound of 1048
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-31531 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (4)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-31531 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts