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CVE Record

CVE-2026-43465: net/mlx5e: RX, Fix XDP multi-buf frag counting for striding RQ

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: RX, Fix XDP multi-buf frag counting for striding RQ XDP multi-buf programs can modify the layout of the XDP buffer when the program calls bpf_xdp_pull_data() or bpf_xdp_adjust_tail(). The referenced commit in the fixes tag corrected the assumption in the mlx5 driver that the XDP buffer layout doesn't change during a program execution. However, this fix introduced another issue: the dropped fragments still need to be counted on the driver side to avoid page fragment reference counting issues. The issue was discovered by the drivers/net/xdp.py selftest, more specifically the test_xdp_native_tx_mb: - The mlx5 driver allocates a page_pool page and initializes it with a frag counter of 64 (pp_ref_count=64) and the internal frag counter to 0. - The test sends one packet with no payload. - On RX (mlx5e_skb_from_cqe_mpwrq_nonlinear()), mlx5 configures the XDP buffer with the packet data starting in the first fragment which is the page mentioned above. - The XDP program runs and calls bpf_xdp_pull_data() which moves the header into the linear part of the XDP buffer. As the packet doesn't contain more data, the program drops the tail fragment since it no longer contains any payload (pp_ref_count=63). - mlx5 device skips counting this fragment. Internal frag counter remains 0. - mlx5 releases all 64 fragments of the page but page pp_ref_count is 63 => negative reference counting error. Resulting splat during the test: WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 188225 at ./include/net/page_pool/helpers.h:297 mlx5e_page_release_fragmented.isra.0+0xbd/0xe0 [mlx5_core] Modules linked in: [...] CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 188225 Comm: ip Not tainted 6.18.0-rc7_for_upstream_min_debug_2025_12_08_11_44 #1 NONE Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS rel-1.13.0-0-gf21b5a4aeb02-prebuilt.qemu.org 04/01/2014 RIP: 0010:mlx5e_page_release_fragmented.isra.0+0xbd/0xe0 [mlx5_core] [...] Call Trace: <TASK> mlx5e_free_rx_mpwqe+0x20a/0x250 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_dealloc_rx_mpwqe+0x37/0xb0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_free_rx_descs+0x11a/0x170 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_close_rq+0x78/0xa0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_close_queues+0x46/0x2a0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_close_channel+0x24/0x90 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_close_channels+0x5d/0xf0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_safe_switch_params+0x2ec/0x380 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_change_mtu+0x11d/0x490 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_change_nic_mtu+0x19/0x30 [mlx5_core] netif_set_mtu_ext+0xfc/0x240 do_setlink.isra.0+0x226/0x1100 rtnl_newlink+0x7a9/0xba0 rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x220/0x3c0 netlink_rcv_skb+0x4b/0xf0 netlink_unicast+0x255/0x380 netlink_sendmsg+0x1f3/0x420 __sock_sendmsg+0x38/0x60 ____sys_sendmsg+0x1e8/0x240 ___sys_sendmsg+0x7c/0xb0 [...] __sys_sendmsg+0x5f/0xb0 do_syscall_64+0x55/0xc70 The problem applies for XDP_PASS as well which is handled in a different code path in the driver. This patch fixes the issue by doing page frag counting on all the original XDP buffer fragments for all relevant XDP actions (XDP_TX , XDP_REDIRECT and XDP_PASS). This is basically reverting to the original counting before the commit in the fixes tag. As frag_page is still pointing to the original tail, the nr_frags parameter to xdp_update_skb_frags_info() needs to be calculated in a different way to reflect the new nr_frags.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux Mellanox mlx5 networking-driver bug can miscount memory fragments after certain XDP programs reshape received packets. This can drive a page reference count negative and create stability or memory-safety risk. The supplied evidence demonstrates the accounting failure in a self-test, but does not demonstrate remote takeover, data theft, or real-world exploitation.

Executive priority

Prioritize prompt patching for systems combining mlx5, striding RQ, and XDP multi-buffer processing, especially availability-sensitive network infrastructure. Other Linux systems can remain in normal patch triage after confirming they lack this exposure chain. The critical score warrants attention, but the supplied evidence does not establish widespread reachability or active attacks.

Technical view

In striding RQ receive handling, an XDP program can remove a tail fragment while reshaping the buffer. The driver then fails to count that original fragment but later releases all allocated fragments, causing inconsistent page-pool reference accounting. The issue affects relevant XDP_TX, XDP_REDIRECT, and XDP_PASS paths. The patch restores counting across all original fragments.

Likely exposure

Exposure requires the Linux mlx5 Ethernet driver, striding RQ, and XDP multi-buffer processing where programs alter buffer layout. General Linux hosts lacking this combination are unlikely exposed. The supplied version data marks several release entries affected, but its flattened range representation is ambiguous; verify exposure through stable fix commits and distributor guidance.

Exploitation context

The bundle marks KEV false and contains no evidence of active exploitation or a weaponized public exploit. Reproduction involved a kernel self-test and an XDP program exercising the affected receive path. Although the supplied CVSS score is 9.8, demonstrated impact is a warning and negative reference-count condition, not proven compromise.

Researcher notes

The fix counts all original buffer fragments for XDP_TX, XDP_REDIRECT, and XDP_PASS, then recalculates nr_frags for xdp_update_skb_frags_info(). The record links three stable commits but does not map each to specific release lines. Its version entries mix releases and commit hashes, limiting precise package-level conclusions without distributor metadata.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable linked stable fix.
  • Confirm the distributor's fixed package or backport; commit presence is more reliable than these version strings.
  • Until patched, avoid affected mlx5 XDP multi-buffer paths where operationally feasible.
  • Monitor kernel logs for mlx5 page-pool reference-count warnings and treat occurrences as stability incidents.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems using mlx5 networking, striding RQ, and XDP multi-buffer programs.
  • Map running kernels to distributor advisories and the linked stable fix commits.
  • Review XDP programs for bpf_xdp_pull_data() or bpf_xdp_adjust_tail() use on affected interfaces.
  • Run the relevant upstream self-test only in a controlled staging environment.
  • Check logs for mlx5e_page_release_fragmented warnings or negative page-pool reference counts.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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-2026-43465 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
4Source 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
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-43465Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux87bcef158ac1faca1bd7e0104588e8e2956d10be, 87bcef158ac1faca1bd7e0104588e8e2956d10be, 87bcef158ac1faca1bd7e0104588e8e2956d10be, 8b051d7f530e8a5237da242fbeafef02fec6b813, cb9edd583e23979ee546981be963ad5f217e8b18, f2557d7fa38e9475b38588f5c124476091480f53, 6.6.115, 6.12.56, 6.17.6unaffected
LinuxLinux6.18, 0, 6.18.19, 6.19.9, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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