CVE-2026-43468: Linux kernel · net/mlx5: Fix deadlock between devlink lock and esw->wq
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · patch available : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.09% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 0% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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
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
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to resolve the deadlock issue. The fix avoids flushing the workqueue and uses a generation counter to prevent stale work execution. Users should update to fixed kernel versions as per the vendor advisory. No additional mitigation is required as the patch fully addresses the issue.
Description
A deadlock vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5 network driver was resolved. The issue involved a deadlock between the devlink lock and the eswitch work queue when certain event handlers executed and acquired locks in conflicting order. The fix avoids flushing the workqueue to prevent deadlock and uses a generation counter to track work relevance, ensuring old handlers do not operate on outdated state. This vulnerability affects multiple specific Linux kernel versions and has a medium severity rating with no confidentiality or integrity impact but causes availability disruption.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43468 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43468 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/aed763abf0e905b4b8d747d1ba9e172961572f57 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0de867f6e34eae6907b367fd152c55e61cb98608 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c7313cb41b1b427078440364d2f042c276a1c0b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4a7838bebc38374f74baaf88bf2cf8d439a92923 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/90e7e5d14d0bd25ffd019a3aa39d9f1c05fedbe1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/957d2a58f7f8ebcbdd0a85935e0d2675134b890d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/aed763abf0e905b4b8d747d1ba9e172961572f57 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8567-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8596-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8606-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8607-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8608-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8609-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-3 (opens in a new tab)