XanMod releases Linux 7.1.4 and 6.18.39 kernels with heavy security fixes
Builds include rtl8723bs cleanup, BPF JIT hardening, and continued performance patches for x86-64.
XanMod has updated its kernel lineup, pushing new builds for the mainline 7.1 series and the 6.18 LTS branch on July 18. The 7.1.4-xanmod1 and 6.18.39-xanmod1 packages arrived simultaneously, inheriting the bulk of upstream stable fixes while retaining the project's signature performance overlays.
Maintained by Alexandre Frade since 2015, XanMod remains one of the go-to destinations for Debian and Ubuntu users who want a kernel that pushes performance without sacrificing too much stability. These builds pack LLVM ThinLTO, Google's BBRv3 congestion control, Cloudflare TCP collapse, and support for scx-scheds. On top of that, the usual AMD 3D V-Cache optimizer and Steam Deck EC sensor modules are enabled by default.
Security hardening takes precedence
Security is where this release cycle really stands out. If you're auditing your box, there's an unusually large number of fixes here. The staging rtl8723bs WiFi driver got a thorough cleaning, with more than 10 out-of-bounds read/write fixes. SMB and ksmbd subsystems see permission checks added, credential enforcement, and double-free eliminations. BPF JIT hardening also gets a boost; there's now an IBPB flush mechanism on BPF JIT allocation to mitigate spraying attacks.
Use-after-free bugs have been hunted down across USB, Bluetooth, and HID subsystems. You'll find buffer overflow fixes in drivers ranging from Wacom touchpads to Goodix SPI interfaces. IOMMUFD validation now enforces upper bounds on cache invalidation. For those running containers or virtualization, KVM sees vendor exit handler ordering refinements and ARM64 PFN leak fixes.
Choosing your build tier
Both branches share most of the upstream base, but there are differences depending on which track you pick. The 7.1.4 mainline build includes newer features like liveUpdate subsystem fixes, BPF sleepable program support, and the latest scx-scheduler infrastructure.
Next, the LTS branch offers a different set of priorities. It's backed by a 3+ year support window through December 2028. This release also pulls in a few fixes absent from mainline, including extensive F2FS folio handling corrections, NFS server allocation fixes, and a revert followed by a proper re-fix for the F2FS move_data_block routine. The LTS branch also includes performance tweaks, like disabling RT_PUSH_IPI by default for non-PREEMPT_RT configurations.
XanMod offers four build tiers across x86-64 psABI levels. You can grab linux-xanmod-x64v2 or linux-xanmod-x64v3 for the main branch, while the LTS track provides options up to linux-xanmod-lts-x64v3. There are also Edge and RT variants if you need real-time latency or want to test bleeding-edge scheduler changes.
sudo apt update && sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v3
Keep in mind that the repo now ships NVIDIA driver versions 595.84 and 580.142 with open kernel modules. If you're switching kernels, you'll want to ensure your graphics stack plays nice. Adding the repository involves grabbing the GPG key and pointing sources.list to deb.xanmod.org. The project supports a wide range of Debian and Ubuntu codenames, from bookworm all the way to the latest experimental releases like zena.
Head here to the XanMod repository or check the changelog for the full list of commits. Source packages are mirrored on GitLab and SourceForge, so you can verify the builds if you don't trust the binary download.
XanMod continues to be a solid choice for enthusiasts who want to squeeze performance out of their hardware. The inclusion of AMD 3D V-Cache optimization and the persistent push for BBRv3 shows the maintainers are listening to community requests. The sheer volume of security patches in this cycle suggests some underlying issues in the upstream trees that needed immediate attention, but the simultaneous delivery of fixes across both branches means you don't have to choose between performance and safety too strictly.
The packages are available now. If you're updating, take a moment to verify your bootloader configuration and backup any critical data. At this point, XanMod is as close to a "set it and forget it" performance kernel as you'll find for Debian-based distros.
