CVE-2026-43114: netfilter: nft_set_pipapo_avx2: don't return non-matching entry on expiry
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nft_set_pipapo_avx2: don't return non-matching entry on expiry
New test case fails unexpectedly when avx2 matching functions are used.
The test first loads a ranomly generated pipapo set
with 'ipv4 . port' key, i.e. nft -f foo.
This works. Then, it reloads the set after a flush:
(echo flush set t s; cat foo) | nft -f -
This is expected to work, because its the same set after all and it was
already loaded once.
But with avx2, this fails: nft reports a clashing element.
The reported clash is of following form:
We successfully re-inserted
a . b
c . d
Then we try to insert a . d
avx2 finds the already existing a . d, which (due to 'flush set') is marked
as invalid in the new generation. It skips the element and moves to next.
Due to incorrect masking, the skip-step finds the next matching
element *only considering the first field*,
i.e. we return the already reinserted "a . b", even though the
last field is different and the entry should not have been matched.
No such error is reported for the generic c implementation (no avx2) or when
the last field has to use the 'nft_pipapo_avx2_lookup_slow' fallback.
Bisection points to
7711f4bb4b36 ("netfilter: nft_set_pipapo: fix range overlap detection")
but that fix merely uncovers this bug.
Before this commit, the wrong element is returned, but erronously
reported as a full, identical duplicate.
The root-cause is too early return in the avx2 match functions.
When we process the last field, we should continue to process data
until the entire input size has been consumed to make sure no stale
bits remain in the map.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel netfilter nftables bug in the AVX2-optimized pipapo set matching path. Under specific set reload and expiry/generation conditions, the kernel can return the wrong set element. The record rates it critical, but the supplied sources do not show active exploitation or a complete real-world attack path.
Executive priority
Treat this as high-priority kernel maintenance for Linux systems enforcing network controls with nftables. The rating is critical, but available evidence does not prove active exploitation. Patch through normal emergency kernel channels where exposure is confirmed.
Technical view
The AVX2 pipapo matcher may return too early when processing the last field, leaving stale map bits and matching only part of a concatenated key. This can report a non-matching, expired, or invalid-generation entry as a clash. Generic C matching and some slow-path AVX2 cases are not described as affected.
Likely exposure
Linux systems using nftables/netfilter pipapo sets with AVX2 matching are the relevant exposure group. Practical exposure appears narrower than all Linux hosts because the described failure depends on pipapo sets, concatenated keys, and generation or expiry behavior. Confirm affected kernel builds against vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not marked KEV, and the provided sources do not cite active exploitation. The CVSS vector reports network reachability with no privileges, but the bundled technical description focuses on incorrect matching during nftables set handling, not a weaponized exploit chain.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on nft_set_pipapo_avx2 behavior, generation invalidation, expiry handling, and concatenated key matching. The source notes bisection to 7711f4bb4b36 as an uncovering change, not the root cause. Avoid assuming impact beyond the CVSS and kernel description.
Mitigation direction
Apply kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes when available for your distribution.
Check Red Hat or distribution advisories for package status and backported fixes.
Prioritize systems relying on nftables sets for network security enforcement.
Review nftables pipapo set usage where AVX2-capable CPUs are deployed.
If no vendor fix is available, follow vendor guidance for temporary controls.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions and map them to vendor CVE status.
Identify hosts using nftables sets with concatenated keys or pipapo behavior.
Confirm whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
Check security monitoring for nftables rule reload failures or unexpected set clashes.
Track CVE-2026-43114 in distribution security advisories until closed.
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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CVSS vector scores
2 official scores
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CWE-480 · source CWE mapping
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