CVE-2026-43465: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: RX, Fix XDP multi-buf frag counting for striding RQ
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · patch available : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 44% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available
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 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. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that this issue is fixed in updated kernel packages. Users should update their systems to the fixed kernel versions and reboot to apply the changes. Recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required due to ABI changes.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5 network driver related to XDP multi-buffer fragment counting was resolved. The issue involved incorrect reference counting of page fragments when XDP programs modify buffer layouts, leading to negative reference counts and kernel warnings or crashes. The fix restores proper fragment counting for all relevant XDP actions to prevent memory management errors.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43465 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43465 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/db25c42c2e1f9c0d136420fff5e5700f7e771a6f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/043bd62f748bc9fd98154037aa598cffbd3c667c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d7342a18fadcdb70a63b3c930dc63528ce51832 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/db25c42c2e1f9c0d136420fff5e5700f7e771a6f (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8636-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8636-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8656-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8669-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8630-5 (opens in a new tab)