CVE-2026-74269
Received Received - Intake

Buffer Underflow in Linux Kernel BNXT Driver

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-74269, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-08-15

Last updated on: 2026-08-15

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bnxt: fix head underflow on XDP head-grow The xdp.py test test_xdp_native_adjst_head_grow_data crashes when run on a bnxt machine (and also crashes in NIPA). It seems that the bug is an underflow in bnxt_rx_multi_page_skb, which builds the skb head: napi_build_skb(data_ptr - bp->rx_offset, rxr->rx_page_size); The problem with this expression is that in page mode, rx_offset is: bp->rx_offset = NET_IP_ALIGN + XDP_PACKET_HEADROOM; Which evaluates (at least on x86_64) to 258. The test test_xdp_native_adjst_head_grow_data tests a case where the head is adjusted by -256. When this test runs, data_ptr is shifted to frag_start + 2 (where frag_start = page_address(page) + offset). Then, bnxt_rx_multi_page_skb is invoked and the napi_build_skb expression subtracts 258, landing at an address before frag_start. This could be either the previous fragment or the previous physical page when the offset is < 256 (e.g. if the fragment started at offset 0). When the skb is freed, the page pool fragment reference is dropped on either the wrong page or the wrong frag of the right page. In either case, the corrupted reference count can lead to the page being prematurely recycled while still in use. Once (incorrectly) recycled, it can be handed out again and on driver teardown this would result in a double free. The commit under fixes updated this code to handle the case where the native page size is >= 64k, but it unintentionally broke the head grow case. To fix this, add an offset field to struct bnxt_sw_rx_bd, mirroring the existing offset field in struct bnxt_sw_rx_agg_bd. Populate it on allocation and preserve it on reuse. In bnxt_rx_multi_page_skb, use the newly added offset field to compute the fragment start and pass that to napi_build_skb. Adjust the layout with skb_reserve. There are two cases, the non-adjustment case and the adjustment case. In both cases, the skb is built at page_address(page) + offset to account for the case where the native page size >= 64K and skb_reserve is called with data_ptr - (page_address(page) + offset). That difference equals bp->rx_offset when data_ptr was not moved, or bp->rx_offset + xdp_adjust when XDP adjusted the head. Re-running the failing test with this commit applied causes the test to run successfully to completion. The other rx_skb_func implementations don't have this issue.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-15
Last Modified
2026-08-15
Generated
2026-08-15
AI Q&A
2026-08-15
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
bnxt linux_kernel *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves an underflow bug in the bnxt_rx_multi_page_skb function, which builds the skb head. The issue occurs when the head is adjusted by -256, causing data_ptr to shift and the napi_build_skb expression to subtract 258, landing at an address before frag_start. This corrupts the page pool fragment reference, leading to premature page recycling and potential double free errors during driver teardown.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's Broadcom NetXtreme-C/E (bnxt) driver and may not have direct detection commands. Monitor kernel logs for crashes or errors related to XDP (Express Data Path) operations, especially on systems using bnxt network interfaces. Check for page pool corruption or double-free errors during driver teardown.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could cause system crashes or instability due to corrupted memory management, particularly when running XDP tests on bnxt network devices. It may also lead to data corruption or security issues if pages are prematurely freed and reused while still in use.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the kernel patch that fixes the underflow issue in bnxt_rx_multi_page_skb. Update to a patched kernel version where the offset field is added to struct bnxt_sw_rx_bd and used correctly in bnxt_rx_multi_page_skb. Avoid using XDP head grow adjustments on bnxt interfaces until patched.

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