UDP Socket Binding Vulnerability in Linux Kernel

CVE-2026-31503

What is CVE-2026-31503?

A vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel that affects the UDP socket binding mechanism. The issue occurs when binding a UDP socket to a local address and port, where the system utilizes two separate hash tables for detecting address conflicts. If the number of bound sockets exceeds a threshold, the conflict detection mechanism may fail, allowing unintended bindings to occur. This can enable attackers to exploit the socket binding process, potentially leading to conflicts and unauthorized access. The flaw impacts both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and highlights the importance of maintaining proper conflict resolution methods in network programming.

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