CVE-2026-43296: Linux kernel · octeontx2-af: Workaround SQM/PSE stalls by disabling sticky
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 32% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1063.69~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1060.61~22.04.1 +24
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
An official fix is available and has been applied in updated Linux kernel releases. The fix disables the problematic sticky SQ manager mode and related transitions, and keeps the control-flow clock enabled to prevent credit drops. Users should update to the patched kernel versions as provided by their Linux distribution vendors. No additional mitigation actions are required beyond applying the official update.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's octeontx2-af subsystem related to SQM/PSE stalls has been resolved. The issue involves hardware errata causing stalls and potential deadlocks when multiple send queues share a send queue manager with sticky mode enabled. The fix disables sticky SQ manager mode and related transitions to prevent stalls and deadlocks, and keeps the control-flow clock enabled to avoid credit drops. This update maintains forward progress under load at the cost of disabling sticky optimizations.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43296 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43296 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/70e9a5760abfb6338d63994d4de6b0778ec795d6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/36cc5a5e0178d5fb79e04173b8aa623b0108819a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/70e9a5760abfb6338d63994d4de6b0778ec795d6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8052d0587fb14b85539c3a14a226586c0c3d6b4c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a3fd301329474f449e75f86d8a4f6b9c603fd6c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b7eba260a34e854e2487b8363c11976f082df00d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cec2ceb35ce7bc874c43812bb39200d6cf691b87 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0b3c8a80336029d9356f429151eb27922d80a3c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9b549b6951ba178ec14339a031cae65f4e43fe1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8497-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8498-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8499-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-1 (opens in a new tab)