CVE-2026-31402: nfsd: fix heap overflow in NFSv4.0 LOCK replay cache
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfsd: fix heap overflow in NFSv4.0 LOCK replay cache
The NFSv4.0 replay cache uses a fixed 112-byte inline buffer (rpibuf[NFSD4REPLAYISIZE]) to store encoded operation responses. This size was calculated based on OPEN responses and does not account for LOCK denied responses, which include the conflicting lock owner as a variable-length field up to 1024 bytes (NFS4OPAQUELIMIT).
When a LOCK operation is denied due to a conflict with an existing lock that has a large owner, nfsd4encodeoperation() copies the full encoded response into the undersized replay buffer via readbytesfromxdrbuf() with no bounds check. This results in a slab-out-of-bounds write of up to 944 bytes past the end of the buffer, corrupting adjacent heap memory.
This can be triggered remotely by an unauthenticated attacker with two cooperating NFSv4.0 clients: one sets a lock with a large owner string, then the other requests a conflicting lock to provoke the denial.
We could fix this by increasing NFSD4REPLAYISIZE to allow for a full opaque, but that would increase the size of every stateowner, when most lockowners are not that large.
Instead, fix this by checking the encoded response length against NFSD4REPLAYISIZE before copying into the replay buffer. If the response is too large, set rpbuflen to 0 to skip caching the replay payload. The status is still cached, and the client already received the correct response on the original request.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Configuration
If using the proposed approach from the text, increase NFSD4_REPLAY_ISIZE (currently described as a fixed 112-byte inline buffer) so the replay buffer can hold the full encoded response payload.
Linux kernel nfsd (NFSv4.0 replay cache) NFSD4_REPLAY_ISIZE = increase to accommodate full LOCK denied responses up to NFS4_OPAQUE_LIMIT (up to 1024 bytes) - Configuration
Apply the fix described in the text: check the encoded response length against NFSD4_REPLAY_ISIZE before copying into the replay buffer; if the response is too large, set rp_buflen to 0 to skip caching the replay response.
Linux kernel nfsd (NFSv4.0 replay cache) rp_buflen = set to 0 when encoded response length is too large
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-31402?
CVE-2026-31402 has a high severity rating due to the heap overflow vulnerability it introduces in the NFSv4.0 LOCK replay cache.
How do I fix CVE-2026-31402?
To fix CVE-2026-31402, update your Linux kernel to the latest patched version that addresses this vulnerability.
What software is affected by CVE-2026-31402?
CVE-2026-31402 affects the Linux kernel, specifically implementations utilizing the NFSv4.0 LOCK replay cache.
What types of attacks can be executed using CVE-2026-31402?
CVE-2026-31402 can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code or crash systems through controlled heap overflow attacks.
When was CVE-2026-31402 disclosed?
CVE-2026-31402 was disclosed as part of a security announcement regarding vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel.