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CVE-2026-98558

Linux: net: flush skb_defer_nodes in dev_cpu_dead()

Linux LinuxOperating systems
CVSS
NoneNot scored
ExploitationNo known exploitationNot in CISA KEV, which does not prove it is unexploitedCISA KEV
Exploit odds (EPSS)0.19%Chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 8% of CVEs. Scored 23 Oct 2026FIRST EPSS
Fixed in06e3f54e8b22040ada01a28343badf1990b4dd7dFixed versionCVE List
Published18 Oct 2026Updated 19 Oct 2026CVE List

What fixes it

  • 06e3f54e8b22040ada01a28343badf1990b4dd7dLinuxCVE List

A fixed version on one release line is not the upgrade target for every line. Check your exact version and any vendor backports.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: flush skb_defer_nodes in dev_cpu_dead()

When a CPU goes offline, dev_cpu_dead() drains its softnet queues (completion_queue, output_queue, poll_list, process_queue, and input_pkt_queue), but leaves net_hotdata.skb_defer_nodes untouched.

If oldcpu goes offline while holding pending skbs in its skb_defer_nodes lists (e.g. below the sysctl_skb_defer_max >> 1 IPI threshold, or if the IPI races with CPU teardown), those skbs remain stranded until oldcpu is brought back online. If any of these skbs hold page_pool fragments, page_pool_destroy() will stall indefinitely waiting for inflight pages to be returned when a netdev or driver is torn down while oldcpu is offline.

Additionally, if smp_call_function_single_async() fails in kick_defer_list_purge() because the target CPU went offline, reset defer_ipi_scheduled to 0 so future IPI kicks are not blocked when the CPU comes back online.

Also, if oldcpu was the last online CPU on its NUMA node, drain that node's slot across all CPUs so no skbs deferred from that node remain stranded on idle remote CPUs (or if the node itself is subsequently offlined).

Finally, in skb_attempt_defer_free(), re-check cpu_online(cpu) and whether the caller migrated CPUs after llist_add(), flushing the node list if so, to close the preemption TOCTOU race against CPU/node teardown.

Text from CVE List

Affected versions 6

  • Linuxaffected: 68822bdf76f10c3dc80609d4e2cdc1e847429086 before c68f4157463448a76893223e117170be8374d773CVE List
  • Linuxaffected: 68822bdf76f10c3dc80609d4e2cdc1e847429086 before 06e3f54e8b22040ada01a28343badf1990b4dd7dCVE List
  • Linuxaffected: 5.19CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: all versions before 5.19CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 7.2.9 through 7.2.*CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 7.3CVE List

References 2