Type Confusion Vulnerability in Linux Kernel Affecting Network Device Drivers

CVE-2026-31502

What is CVE-2026-31502?

A type confusion vulnerability in the Linux kernel can lead to crashes in network device drivers. It occurs when the team device incorrectly interprets its own net_device as that of a lower device, leading to potential system instability. This issue arises from the way header_ops are handled, which may improperly call the wrong device context during network operations, particularly in stacked non-Ethernet topologies. The root cause has been identified, and the solution involves implementing correct header_ops wrappers to ensure each callback retrieves the appropriate device context.

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