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CVE Record

CVE-2026-22981: idpf: detach and close netdevs while handling a reset

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: idpf: detach and close netdevs while handling a reset Protect the reset path from callbacks by setting the netdevs to detached state and close any netdevs in UP state until the reset handling has completed. During a reset, the driver will de-allocate resources for the vport, and there is no guarantee that those will recover, which is why the existing vport_ctrl_lock does not provide sufficient protection. idpf_detach_and_close() is called right before reset handling. If the reset handling succeeds, the netdevs state is recovered via call to idpf_attach_and_open(). If the reset handling fails the netdevs remain down. The detach/down calls are protected with RTNL lock to avoid racing with callbacks. On the recovery side the attach can be done without holding the RTNL lock as there are no callbacks expected at that point, due to detach/close always being done first in that flow. The previous logic restoring the netdevs state based on the IDPF_VPORT_UP_REQUESTED flag in the init task is not needed anymore, hence the removal of idpf_set_vport_state(). The IDPF_VPORT_UP_REQUESTED is still being used to restore the state of the netdevs following the reset, but has no use outside of the reset handling flow. idpf_init_hard_reset() is converted to void, since it was used as such and there is no error handling being done based on its return value. Before this change, invoking hard and soft resets simultaneously will cause the driver to lose the vport state: ip -br a <inf> UP echo 1 > /sys/class/net/ens801f0/device/reset& \ ethtool -L ens801f0 combined 8 ip -br a <inf> DOWN ip link set <inf> up ip -br a <inf> DOWN Also in case of a failure in the reset path, the netdev is left exposed to external callbacks, while vport resources are not initialized, leading to a crash on subsequent ifup/down: [408471.398966] idpf 0000:83:00.0: HW reset detected [408471.411744] idpf 0000:83:00.0: Device HW Reset initiated [408472.277901] idpf 0000:83:00.0: The driver was unable to contact the device's firmware. Check that the FW is running. Driver state= 0x2 [408508.125551] BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000078 [408508.126112] #PF: supervisor read access in kernel mode [408508.126687] #PF: error_code(0x0000) - not-present page [408508.127256] PGD 2aae2f067 P4D 0 [408508.127824] Oops: Oops: 0000 [#1] SMP NOPTI ... [408508.130871] RIP: 0010:idpf_stop+0x39/0x70 [idpf] ... [408508.139193] Call Trace: [408508.139637] <TASK> [408508.140077] __dev_close_many+0xbb/0x260 [408508.140533] __dev_change_flags+0x1cf/0x280 [408508.140987] netif_change_flags+0x26/0x70 [408508.141434] dev_change_flags+0x3d/0xb0 [408508.141878] devinet_ioctl+0x460/0x890 [408508.142321] inet_ioctl+0x18e/0x1d0 [408508.142762] ? _copy_to_user+0x22/0x70 [408508.143207] sock_do_ioctl+0x3d/0xe0 [408508.143652] sock_ioctl+0x10e/0x330 [408508.144091] ? find_held_lock+0x2b/0x80 [408508.144537] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x96/0xe0 [408508.144979] do_syscall_64+0x79/0x3d0 [408508.145415] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x76/0x7e [408508.145860] RIP: 0033:0x7f3e0bb4caff

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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue affects the idpf network driver reset path. During device reset failures or overlapping reset operations, network interfaces can be left in an unsafe state, causing the interface to remain down and potentially triggering a kernel crash during later interface changes.

Executive priority

Treat as an operational stability risk for affected Linux networking hosts. Prioritize patching where idpf-backed interfaces support production traffic, but do not assume internet-scale exploitation from the provided evidence.

Technical view

The fix detaches and closes idpf netdevs before reset handling, then reattaches and reopens them after successful recovery. Previously, vport resources could be deallocated while callbacks still reached the netdev, leaving uninitialized state exposed and causing a NULL pointer dereference in idpf_stop.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using affected kernel versions with idpf network devices or drivers. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but does not identify distributions, hardware models, or default deployment patterns.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing or cited source indicates active exploitation. The source describes failures triggered by simultaneous hard and soft reset handling and later ifup/down activity, but does not provide evidence of remote exploitation.

Researcher notes

The root issue is reset-path race protection around idpf netdev callbacks and vport resource lifetime. The patch changes reset sequencing using detach/close before reset and attach/open after recovery, with RTNL protection on detach/down paths.

Mitigation direction

  • Check kernel vendor guidance for CVE-2026-22981 fixes.
  • Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable commits.
  • Prioritize hosts using idpf network interfaces.
  • Avoid nonessential idpf reset operations until patched.
  • Monitor affected hosts for kernel oops or interface-down events.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across network-facing hosts.
  • Confirm whether the idpf driver is loaded or in use.
  • Map installed kernels against vendor fixed versions.
  • Review logs for idpf reset failures and NULL dereferences.
  • Verify patched kernels include the referenced stable commits.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

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Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34, 0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34, 0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34unaffected
LinuxLinux6.7, 0, 6.12.80, 6.18.6, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

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