CVE-2026-31437

netfs: Fix NULL pointer dereference in netfs_unbuffered_write() on retry

Published Apr 22, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

netfs: Fix NULL pointer dereference in netfs_unbuffered_write() on retry

When a write subrequest is marked NETFS_SREQ_NEED_RETRY, the retry path
in netfs_unbuffered_write() unconditionally calls stream->prepare_write()
without checking if it is NULL.

Filesystems such as 9P do not set the prepare_write operation, so
stream->prepare_write remains NULL. When get_user_pages() fails with
-EFAULT and the subrequest is flagged for retry, this results in a NULL
pointer dereference at fs/netfs/direct_write.c:189.

Fix this by mirroring the pattern already used in write_retry.c: if
stream->prepare_write is NULL, skip renegotiation and directly reissue
the subrequest via netfs_reissue_write(), which handles iterator reset,
IN_PROGRESS flag, stats update and reissue internally.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfs: Fix NULL pointer dereference in netfs_unbuffered_write() on retry When a write subrequest is marked NETFS_SREQ_NEED_RETRY, the retry path in netfs_unbuffered_write() unconditionally calls stream->prepare_write() without checking if it is NULL. Filesystems such as 9P do not set the prepare_write operation, so stream->prepare_write remains NULL. When get_user_pages() fails with -EFAULT and the subrequest is flagged for retry, this results in a NULL pointer dereference at fs/netfs/direct_write.c:189. Fix this by mirroring the pattern already used in write_retry.c: if stream->prepare_write is NULL, skip renegotiation and directly reissue the subrequest via netfs_reissue_write(), which handles iterator reset, IN_PROGRESS flag, stats update and reissue internally.
Title netfs: Fix NULL pointer dereference in netfs_unbuffered_write() on retry
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
May 11, 2026, 10:08 PM
Reserved
Mar 9, 2026, 3:48 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 22, 2026, 2:16 PM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 11:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Apr 22, 2026, 12:00 AM