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/
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No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.
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Tracking
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| Source | ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
Debian DLA |
DLA-4561-1 | linux-6.1 security update |
Debian DSA |
DSA-6238-1 | linux security update |
Debian DSA |
DSA-6243-1 | linux security update |
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
|
cvssV3_1
|
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
|
cvssV3_1
|
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 |
|
|
Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Linux
Published:
Updated: 2026-05-11T22:10:24.268Z
Reserved: 2026-03-09T15:48:24.109Z
Link: CVE-2026-31521
No data.
Status : Analyzed
Published: 2026-04-22T14:16:51.930
Modified: 2026-04-28T18:26:58.433
Link: CVE-2026-31521
OpenCVE Enrichment
Updated: 2026-04-29T03:30:15Z
Debian DLA
Debian DSA