CVE-2024-26803: net: veth: clear GRO when clearing XDP even when down
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: veth: clear GRO when clearing XDP even when down
veth sets NETIF_F_GRO automatically when XDP is enabled,
because both features use the same NAPI machinery.
The logic to clear NETIF_F_GRO sits in veth_disable_xdp() which
is called both on ndo_stop and when XDP is turned off.
To avoid the flag from being cleared when the device is brought
down, the clearing is skipped when IFF_UP is not set.
Bringing the device down should indeed not modify its features.
Unfortunately, this means that clearing is also skipped when
XDP is disabled _while_ the device is down. And there's nothing
on the open path to bring the device features back into sync.
IOW if user enables XDP, disables it and then brings the device
up we'll end up with a stray GRO flag set but no NAPI instances.
We don't depend on the GRO flag on the datapath, so the datapath
won't crash. We will crash (or hang), however, next time features
are sync'ed (either by user via ethtool or peer changing its config).
The GRO flag will go away, and veth will try to disable the NAPIs.
But the open path never created them since XDP was off, the GRO flag
was a stray. If NAPI was initialized before we'll hang in napi_disable().
If it never was we'll crash trying to stop uninitialized hrtimer.
Move the GRO flag updates to the XDP enable / disable paths,
instead of mixing them with the ndo_open / ndo_close paths.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-26803 is a Linux kernel veth bug involving XDP and GRO feature state. Under a specific down-interface configuration sequence, the kernel can later crash or hang when network features are synchronized. The main business risk is local denial of service on affected Linux hosts, especially systems relying on virtual Ethernet pairs for containers or network virtualization.
Executive priority
Handle during normal kernel patch cycles, with higher priority for container platforms or network-heavy Linux hosts. There is no source evidence of active exploitation, but an availability-impacting kernel crash can still affect production reliability.
Technical view
In veth, enabling XDP also sets NETIF_F_GRO because both use NAPI machinery. If XDP is disabled while the device is down, GRO can remain incorrectly set without NAPI instances. Later feature synchronization can attempt to disable nonexistent or uninitialized NAPI state, causing a hang or crash. Stable kernel commits move GRO updates into XDP enable and disable paths.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant on Linux hosts using veth interfaces with XDP, such as container, Kubernetes, or network-function environments. The source marks Linux kernel versions including 5.13, 5.15.151, 6.1.81, 6.6.21, 6.7.9, and 6.8 as affected, but distro backport status must be confirmed.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, public exploit availability, or KEV listing. The bug appears to require local or privileged control over veth and XDP state changes, followed by a feature synchronization event. Treat it as a stability and availability risk rather than a confirmed remote compromise path.
Researcher notes
The CVE description gives a clear root cause and fix direction, but no CVSS, CWE, exploit evidence, or vendor-specific fixed package matrix. Validate exposure against the exact running kernel and distribution backports rather than relying only on upstream version numbers.
Mitigation direction
Apply a vendor or distro kernel update containing the referenced stable fixes.
Confirm fixed package versions with Linux distribution security advisories.
Prioritize container hosts or systems using veth with XDP.
Avoid toggling XDP on down veth devices until patched.
Plan reboot or live-patch validation according to kernel maintenance policy.
Validation and detection
Check running kernel versions across Linux fleets.
Confirm vendor packages include the CVE-2024-26803 backport or stable commit.
Identify hosts using veth interfaces and XDP.
Review change records for recent XDP and veth configuration changes.
Monitor affected hosts for unexplained kernel hangs or crashes.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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CVE-2024-26803 mapping review
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