CVE-2026-22981

What it is

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

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-01-23 16:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-05 22:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-01-23 16:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-05 22:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-476 · NULL pointer dereference

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 6.18.6
• Linux Kernel 6.19

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

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