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major vulnerability· requires attention

Affects the Linux kernel CIFS client, widely deployed across organizations; a remote SMB server can leak kernel memory, requiring org-wide mitigation.

Systems

CVE-2026-89631

9.1
Critical
EPSS 0.45%Patch availableSep 14, 2026

Malicious SMB server can trigger kernel memory leak in Linux CIFS client

common questions

Is CVE-2026-89631 being exploited?

Not confirmed. CVE-2026-89631 does not appear in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which records only exploitation that has been observed and reported publicly. That is evidence of absence of a report, not evidence the flaw is unattacked. EPSS currently estimates a 0.45% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How severe is CVE-2026-89631?

CVE-2026-89631 is rated Critical with a CVSS score of 9.1. Severity describes how bad exploitation would be, not how likely it is: pair it with exploitation evidence before deciding what to patch first.

Is there a patch for CVE-2026-89631?

Yes. A fix has been recorded for CVE-2026-89631. The vendor advisory is the authority on the exact fixed version — apply it from there rather than from a summary.

What does CVE-2026-89631 affect?

CVE-2026-89631 affects Linux kernel (CIFS/SMB client), Distributions with CIFS enabled, Systems mounting SMB shares. Confirm the exact affected versions against the vendor advisory before deciding you are exposed.

What should I do about CVE-2026-89631?

Apply kernel updates with CIFS fix; avoid/unmount untrusted SMB servers; restrict SMB access

Exploitation status reflects CISA's KEV catalog as we last synced it. Check the catalog directly.

executive summary
technical analysis
affected
Linux kernel (CIFS/SMB client)Distributions with CIFS enabledSystems mounting SMB shares
impact

Remote kernel memory disclosure to userspace via crafted SMB/CIFS Tree Connect; may expose sensitive kernel data and cause crashes.

action required

Patch when possible

affected versions
Linux Linux
  • affected>= cc20c031bb067eb3280a1c4b5c42295093e24863 and < 3be89e8039a85fa3b6cd5f9dcc4c1459eb356c2d
  • affected>= cc20c031bb067eb3280a1c4b5c42295093e24863 and < 411e484fe71a7f1028de617447edad9cb6d9d68a
  • affected>= cc20c031bb067eb3280a1c4b5c42295093e24863 and < 65deb18359341141d37dc86fc7853511be3c87a7
  • affected2.6.30
vendor says fixed in< 2.6.30, >= 6.18.51 and <= 6.18.*, >= 7.2.4 and <= 7.2.*, >= 7.3-rc1 and <= *

As published in the CVE Program record. A version outside these ranges is not a statement that it is unaffected — vendors sometimes understate a range, and distribution-backported builds carry upstream numbers that do not reflect what was patched into them.

how to fix
Remediation steps are tailored for users whose stack is affected. Add this technology to your stack to see the fix checklist.
references
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