CVE-2026-99079: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: Prevent stale XSK buffer release on refill retry
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 01:31 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 23 Oct 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 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 fix is available and has been applied to the affected Linux kernel versions. Users should update to patched kernel versions to remediate this vulnerability. No additional mitigation actions are required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver allows stale XSK buffers to be released during refill retries when an XDP redirect to an AF_XDP socket fails due to a full RX ring. This can cause double publication of UMEM frames, leading to potential memory corruption and data integrity issues. The flaw is silent and does not produce kernel warnings. It was detected under high packet load conditions and has been resolved by marking WQEs as released immediately after driver-side free to prevent stale pointer usage.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-99079 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-99079 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/32bbb870078d467479965c21bbc4960c57eea208 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/34d1db2b18e1c1d189e34dd51923e031815f88e3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/639522e5056cade578a324acfa993ec6c9f7f5dc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/655f47477054d19de3b138840be229a1a4490d0c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e01620844c5c88b6fcf819d171df8e3976a0e76f (opens in a new tab)