CVE-2026-31528: perf: Make sure to use pmu_ctx->pmu for groups

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-31528 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in linux. EPSS estimates a 0.13% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 2.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 22-04-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 19-10-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Make sure to use pmu_ctx->pmu for groups Oliver reported that x86_pmu_del() ended up doing an out-of-bound memory access when group_sched_in() fails and needs to roll back. This *should* be handled by the transaction callbacks, but he found that when the group leader is a software event, the transaction handlers of the wrong PMU are used. Despite the move_group case in perf_event_open() and group_sched_in() using pmu_ctx->pmu. Turns out, inherit uses event->pmu to clone the events, effectively undoing the move_group case for all inherited contexts. Fix this by also making inherit use pmu_ctx->pmu, ensuring all inherited counters end up in the same pmu context. Similarly, __perf_event_read() should use equally use pmu_ctx->pmu for the group case.

• CWE-125Out-of-bounds ReadThe product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
• CWE-787Out-of-bounds WriteThe product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.