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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23453: net: ti: icssg-prueth: Fix memory leak in XDP_DROP for non-zero-copy mode

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ti: icssg-prueth: Fix memory leak in XDP_DROP for non-zero-copy mode Page recycling was removed from the XDP_DROP path in emac_run_xdp() to avoid conflicts with AF_XDP zero-copy mode, which uses xsk_buff_free() instead. However, this causes a memory leak when running XDP programs that drop packets in non-zero-copy mode (standard page pool mode). The pages are never returned to the page pool, leading to OOM conditions. Fix this by handling cleanup in the caller, emac_rx_packet(). When emac_run_xdp() returns ICSSG_XDP_CONSUMED for XDP_DROP, the caller now recycles the page back to the page pool. The zero-copy path, emac_rx_packet_zc() already handles cleanup correctly with xsk_buff_free().

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in the Linux TI ICSSG PRU Ethernet driver can steadily consume memory when an attached XDP program drops packets outside zero-copy mode. Sustained activity may exhaust system memory and disrupt network appliances or embedded systems. The supplied CVSS score is 7.5, reflecting availability impact without confidentiality or integrity loss.

Executive priority

Prioritize affected network-facing embedded, industrial, or appliance systems where memory exhaustion would interrupt critical services. Patch promptly after confirming the driver and XDP configuration. Broad emergency action is not supported for systems lacking the affected driver or packet-drop path, and no active exploitation is documented in the supplied evidence.

Technical view

In emac_run_xdp(), XDP_DROP stopped recycling received pages to avoid conflicting with AF_XDP zero-copy cleanup. In standard page-pool mode, those pages were consequently leaked. The fix moves cleanup to emac_rx_packet(), which recycles pages after ICSSG_XDP_CONSUMED; emac_rx_packet_zc() already frees zero-copy buffers correctly.

Likely exposure

Exposure requires the TI ICSSG PRU Ethernet driver, an XDP program that returns XDP_DROP, and non-zero-copy receive mode. Systems without that driver or configuration are not shown to be affected. The supplied version data identifies Linux 6.19-related releases, but its exact boundaries are ambiguous; confirm downstream backports with the distribution vendor.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes network-reachable, low-complexity availability impact without privileges or user interaction. Network traffic may exercise an already configured XDP drop path until memory is exhausted. The supplied sources do not report active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle.

Researcher notes

This is a receive-page lifecycle error confined to XDP_DROP in non-zero-copy mode. The zero-copy caller already uses xsk_buff_free(). Review downstream patches for equivalent recycling in emac_rx_packet() after ICSSG_XDP_CONSUMED. Treat the bundle's version boundaries cautiously because its affected-version list is not sufficiently explicit.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor kernel containing the referenced upstream or stable fix.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes and exact affected-version boundaries.
  • Prioritize systems using TI ICSSG PRU Ethernet with XDP packet dropping.
  • If immediate updating is impossible, request vendor-supported operational mitigation guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and confirm whether the icssg-prueth driver is active.
  • Identify attached XDP programs and whether they can return XDP_DROP.
  • Determine whether affected interfaces use standard page-pool rather than AF_XDP zero-copy mode.
  • Confirm the installed kernel includes an applicable referenced fix or vendor backport.
  • Monitor memory behavior during controlled defensive testing of legitimate dropped traffic.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

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

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-23453 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-23453Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux7a64bb388df3cf091afdd047c701039a13acd3b4, 7a64bb388df3cf091afdd047c701039a13acd3b4unaffected
LinuxLinux6.19, 0, 6.19.10, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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