Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel flaw is a cleanup bug in the octeon_ep_vf network driver. If IRQ setup fails part-way, the driver may leave an interrupt handler registered after related memory is freed. A later interrupt could crash the system or trigger memory corruption. Business urgency is highest where affected kernels and this driver are in use.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for Linux assets that use this driver or related network hardware. It is not evidence of an internet-scale emergency, but kernel memory corruption and crash potential justify timely patch validation during the next maintenance window, faster for exposed critical infrastructure.
Technical view
octep_vf_request_irqs() requests MSI-X queue IRQs with dev_id set to ioq_vector, but rollback used oct when calling free_irq(). That mismatch can leave irqaction registered while ioq_vector is freed during unwind, creating a use-after-free or crash when an interrupt fires. CVSS is 7.0: local, high complexity, low privileges, no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running vulnerable kernel builds with the octeon_ep_vf driver path present and reachable. The source lists Linux as affected, including versions 6.9, 6.12.67, 6.18.7, and 6.19, but distro-specific package status requires vendor confirmation.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. The CVSS vector requires local access, low privileges, and high attack complexity. The described condition depends on a failed IRQ request path and a subsequent interrupt, so practical exploitability is not fully established from the provided sources.
Researcher notes
The key condition is dev_id mismatch between request_irq() and rollback free_irq(). Analysis should focus on whether vulnerable builds can hit partial MSI-X queue IRQ setup failure, whether stale irqaction persists, and what interrupts can occur after ioq_vector teardown. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond the CVE and commit descriptions.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Use distro kernel advisories to confirm the backported fix is present.
- Prioritize systems using or loading the octeon_ep_vf driver.
- If no fixed package exists, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected server and appliance fleets.
- Check whether octeon_ep_vf is built, loaded, or required.
- Compare kernel package changelogs against the three stable fix references.
- Confirm regression testing covers driver initialization failure paths.
- Track distro CVE status until the fix is backported.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2026-23013 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H15.9LinuxVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/aa05a8371ae4a452df623f7202c72409d3c50e40CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/aa4c066229b05fc3d3c5f42693d25b1828533b6eCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f93fc5d12d69012788f82151bee55fce937e1432CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.