Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ibmvnic: fix race between xmit and reset
There is a race between reset and the transmit paths that can lead to
ibmvnic_xmit() accessing an scrq after it has been freed in the reset
path. It can result in a crash like:
Kernel attempted to read user page (0) - exploit attempt? (uid: 0)
BUG: Kernel NULL pointer dereference on read at 0x00000000
Faulting instruction address: 0xc0080000016189f8
Oops: Kernel access of bad area, sig: 11 [#1]
...
NIP [c0080000016189f8] ibmvnic_xmit+0x60/0xb60 [ibmvnic]
LR [c000000000c0046c] dev_hard_start_xmit+0x11c/0x280
Call Trace:
[c008000001618f08] ibmvnic_xmit+0x570/0xb60 [ibmvnic] (unreliable)
[c000000000c0046c] dev_hard_start_xmit+0x11c/0x280
[c000000000c9cfcc] sch_direct_xmit+0xec/0x330
[c000000000bfe640] __dev_xmit_skb+0x3a0/0x9d0
[c000000000c00ad4] __dev_queue_xmit+0x394/0x730
[c008000002db813c] __bond_start_xmit+0x254/0x450 [bonding]
[c008000002db8378] bond_start_xmit+0x40/0xc0 [bonding]
[c000000000c0046c] dev_hard_start_xmit+0x11c/0x280
[c000000000c00ca4] __dev_queue_xmit+0x564/0x730
[c000000000cf97e0] neigh_hh_output+0xd0/0x180
[c000000000cfa69c] ip_finish_output2+0x31c/0x5c0
[c000000000cfd244] __ip_queue_xmit+0x194/0x4f0
[c000000000d2a3c4] __tcp_transmit_skb+0x434/0x9b0
[c000000000d2d1e0] __tcp_retransmit_skb+0x1d0/0x6a0
[c000000000d2d984] tcp_retransmit_skb+0x34/0x130
[c000000000d310e8] tcp_retransmit_timer+0x388/0x6d0
[c000000000d315ec] tcp_write_timer_handler+0x1bc/0x330
[c000000000d317bc] tcp_write_timer+0x5c/0x200
[c000000000243270] call_timer_fn+0x50/0x1c0
[c000000000243704] __run_timers.part.0+0x324/0x460
[c000000000243894] run_timer_softirq+0x54/0xa0
[c000000000ea713c] __do_softirq+0x15c/0x3e0
[c000000000166258] __irq_exit_rcu+0x158/0x190
[c000000000166420] irq_exit+0x20/0x40
[c00000000002853c] timer_interrupt+0x14c/0x2b0
[c000000000009a00] decrementer_common_virt+0x210/0x220
--- interrupt: 900 at plpar_hcall_norets_notrace+0x18/0x2c
The immediate cause of the crash is the access of tx_scrq in the following
snippet during a reset, where the tx_scrq can be either NULL or an address
that will soon be invalid:
ibmvnic_xmit()
{
...
tx_scrq = adapter->tx_scrq[queue_num];
txq = netdev_get_tx_queue(netdev, queue_num);
ind_bufp = &tx_scrq->ind_buf;
if (test_bit(0, &adapter->resetting)) {
...
}
But beyond that, the call to ibmvnic_xmit() itself is not safe during a
reset and the reset path attempts to avoid this by stopping the queue in
ibmvnic_cleanup(). However just after the queue was stopped, an in-flight
ibmvnic_complete_tx() could have restarted the queue even as the reset is
progressing.
Since the queue was restarted we could get a call to ibmvnic_xmit() which
can then access the bad tx_scrq (or other fields).
We cannot however simply have ibmvnic_complete_tx() check the ->resetting
bit and skip starting the queue. This can race at the "back-end" of a good
reset which just restarted the queue but has not cleared the ->resetting
bit yet. If we skip restarting the queue due to ->resetting being true,
the queue would remain stopped indefinitely potentially leading to transmit
timeouts.
IOW ->resetting is too broad for this purpose. Instead use a new flag
that indicates whether or not the queues are active. Only the open/
reset paths control when the queues are active. ibmvnic_complete_tx()
and others wake up the queue only if the queue is marked active.
So we will have:
A. reset/open thread in ibmvnic_cleanup() and __ibmvnic_open()
->resetting = true
->tx_queues_active = false
disable tx queues
...
->tx_queues_active = true
start tx queues
B. Tx interrupt in ibmvnic_complete_tx():
if (->tx_queues_active)
netif_wake_subqueue();
To ensure that ->tx_queues_active and state of the queues are consistent,
we need a lock which:
- must also be taken in the interrupt path (ibmvnic_complete_tx())
- shared across the multiple
---truncated---
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.4 | 5.15.33 |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 5.17.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 5.17.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 5.17.3-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux +1 | 5.15.0-37.39 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.15.0-1011.14 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.15.0-1010.12 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.15.0-1008.12 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gke | 5.15.0-1008.10 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.15.0-1007.8 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg | 5.15.0-1008.11 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 5.15.0-1010.11 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.15.0-1009.12 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.15.0-1011.13 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +32 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.15 | 5.15.0-1008.9~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +28 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.15 | 5.15.0-41.44~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg-5.15 | 5.15.0-1008.11~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 | 5.15.0-42.45~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
Show 5 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 5.15.0-1014.14 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS 20.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 5.4.0-1165.176+fips1 | USN-8920-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 5.4.0-1170.176+fips1 | USN-8920-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-fips | 5.4.0-1139.149 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 5.4.0-1168.178+fips1 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux | 5.4.0-242.262 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.4.0-1165.176 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.4.0-1170.176 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.4.0-1125.132 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.4.0-1168.178 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.4.0-1111.116 | USN-8920-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-iot | 5.4.0-1069.72 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 5.4.0-1152.161 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.4.0-1163.173 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.4.0-1148.161 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-xilinx-zynqmp | 5.4.0-1083.87 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.4 | 5.4.0-1165.176~18.04.1 | USN-8920-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.4 | 5.4.0-1170.176~18.04.1 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.4 | 5.4.0-1168.178~18.04.1 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.4 | 5.4.0-242.262~18.04.1 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-ibm-5.4 | 5.4.0-1111.116~18.04.1 | USN-8920-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-oracle-5.4 | 5.4.0-1163.173~18.04.1 | USN-8919-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux-raspi-5.4 | 5.4.0-1148.161~18.04.1 | USN-8919-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | kernel-64kb +7 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.12.14-122.250.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:0834-1 |
Show 18 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP5 | kernel-docs +4 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-docs +4 | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | kernel-docs +5 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150500.13.91.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1176-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-source +1 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.115.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1183-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.115.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1183-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.3.18-150300.205.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1194-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.3.18-150300.205.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1194-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP5_Update_25 | 1-150500.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP4_Update_38 | 1-150400.9.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP3 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP3 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP3_Update_56 | 1-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP5 | kernel-default | 4.12.14-122.250.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:0834-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP5 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP5_Update_66 | 1-8.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:0834-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +5 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +5 | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-syms +3 | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1.150400.24.78.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-syms +2 | 5.14.21-150400.24.158.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
Advisories 9
- USN-8919-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-azure, linux-azure-5.4, linux-fips, linux-gcp, linux-gcp-5.4, linux-gcp-fips, linux-hwe-5.4, linux-iot, linux-kvm, linux-oracle, linux-oracle-5.4, linux-raspi, linux-raspi-5.4, linux-xilinx-zynqmp vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Oct 13, 2026
- USN-8920-1 linux-aws-5.4, linux-aws-fips, linux-azure-fips, linux-ibm, linux-ibm-5.4 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Oct 13, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1194-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1176-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1027-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:0834-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1183-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Apr 16, 2025