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.
Advisories

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Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:15:00 +0000

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


Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:15:00 +0000

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

Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-22T13:53:36.361Z

Reserved: 2026-03-09T15:48:24.090Z

Link: CVE-2026-31437

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-04-22T14:16:36.980

Modified: 2026-04-22T14:16:36.980

Link: CVE-2026-31437

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-04-22T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-31437 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-22T16:45:21Z

Weaknesses