Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

module: Fix kernel panic when a symbol st_shndx is out of bounds

The module loader doesn't check for bounds of the ELF section index in
simplify_symbols():

for (i = 1; i < symsec->sh_size / sizeof(Elf_Sym); i++) {
const char *name = info->strtab + sym[i].st_name;

switch (sym[i].st_shndx) {
case SHN_COMMON:

[...]

default:
/* Divert to percpu allocation if a percpu var. */
if (sym[i].st_shndx == info->index.pcpu)
secbase = (unsigned long)mod_percpu(mod);
else
/** HERE --> **/ secbase = info->sechdrs[sym[i].st_shndx].sh_addr;
sym[i].st_value += secbase;
break;
}
}

A symbol with an out-of-bounds st_shndx value, for example 0xffff
(known as SHN_XINDEX or SHN_HIRESERVE), may cause a kernel panic:

BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: ...
RIP: 0010:simplify_symbols+0x2b2/0x480
...
Kernel panic - not syncing: Fatal exception

This can happen when module ELF is legitimately using SHN_XINDEX or
when it is corrupted.

Add a bounds check in simplify_symbols() to validate that st_shndx is
within the valid range before using it.

This issue was discovered due to a bug in llvm-objcopy, see relevant
discussion for details [1].

[1] https://lore.kernel.org/linux-modules/20251224005752.201911-1-ihor.solodrai@linux.dev/
Published: 2026-04-22
Score: 5.5 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Kernel Crash (Denial of Service)
Action: Patch
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4561-1 linux-6.1 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6238-1 linux security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6243-1 linux security update
History

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-127
CWE-20

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-787
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.12:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.12:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.12:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.12:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.12:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

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'}


Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-127
CWE-20

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-1285
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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: module: Fix kernel panic when a symbol st_shndx is out of bounds The module loader doesn't check for bounds of the ELF section index in simplify_symbols(): for (i = 1; i < symsec->sh_size / sizeof(Elf_Sym); i++) { const char *name = info->strtab + sym[i].st_name; switch (sym[i].st_shndx) { case SHN_COMMON: [...] default: /* Divert to percpu allocation if a percpu var. */ if (sym[i].st_shndx == info->index.pcpu) secbase = (unsigned long)mod_percpu(mod); else /** HERE --> **/ secbase = info->sechdrs[sym[i].st_shndx].sh_addr; sym[i].st_value += secbase; break; } } A symbol with an out-of-bounds st_shndx value, for example 0xffff (known as SHN_XINDEX or SHN_HIRESERVE), may cause a kernel panic: BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: ... RIP: 0010:simplify_symbols+0x2b2/0x480 ... Kernel panic - not syncing: Fatal exception This can happen when module ELF is legitimately using SHN_XINDEX or when it is corrupted. Add a bounds check in simplify_symbols() to validate that st_shndx is within the valid range before using it. This issue was discovered due to a bug in llvm-objcopy, see relevant discussion for details [1]. [1] https://lore.kernel.org/linux-modules/20251224005752.201911-1-ihor.solodrai@linux.dev/
Title module: Fix kernel panic when a symbol st_shndx is out of bounds
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-11T22:10:24.268Z

Reserved: 2026-03-09T15:48:24.109Z

Link: CVE-2026-31521

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-04-22T14:16:51.930

Modified: 2026-04-28T18:26:58.433

Link: CVE-2026-31521

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

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

Links: CVE-2026-31521 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-29T03:30:15Z

Weaknesses