CVE-2026-74560
Received Received - Intake

Buffer Leak in Linux Kernel AF_XDP Multi-Buffer TX

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-74560, 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: xsk: fix buffer leak in xsk_drop_skb() for AF_XDP multi-buffer Tx This patch is inspired by the check[1] from sashiko. It says when overflow happens, the address of cq to be published is invalid. Actually the severer thing is the whole process of publishing the address of cq in this particular case is not right: it should truely publish the address and advance the cached_prod in cq as long as it reads descriptors from txq. The following is the full analysis. xsk_drop_skb() is called in three places, which all discard a partially built multi-buffer skb: 1) xsk_build_skb() -EOVERFLOW error path: packet exceeds MAX_SKB_FRAGS 2) __xsk_generic_xmit() post-loop cleanup: an invalid descriptor in the TX ring prevents the partial packet from completing 3) xsk_release(): socket close while xs->skb holds an incomplete packet In all three cases, the TX descriptors for the already-processed frags have been consumed from the TX ring (xskq_cons_release), and CQ slots have been reserved. However, xsk_drop_skb() calls xsk_consume_skb() which cancels the CQ reservations via xsk_cq_cancel_locked(). Since the buffer addresses never appear in the completion queue, userspace permanently loses track of these buffers. Fix this by letting consume_skb() trigger the existing xsk_destruct_skb destructor, which already submits buffer addresses to the CQ via xsk_cq_submit_addr_locked(). Note that cancelling the descriptors back to the TX ring (via xskq_cons_cancel_n) is not a appropriate option because an oversized packet that always exceeds MAX_SKB_FRAGS would be retried indefinitely, which is an obviously deadlock bug in the TX path. Also move the desc->addr assignment in xsk_build_skb() above the overflow check so that the current descriptor's address is recorded before a potential -EOVERFLOW jump to free_err, consistent with the zerocopy path in xsk_build_skb_zerocopy(). [1]: https://lore.kernel.org/all/20260425041726.85FB3C2BCB2@smtp.kernel.org/

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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
linux 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 a buffer leak in the AF_XDP multi-buffer transmit path. When a packet exceeds the maximum number of fragments or an invalid descriptor is encountered, the system attempts to drop the partially built skb. However, the cleanup process incorrectly cancels completion queue reservations, causing userspace to lose track of buffer addresses permanently.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's AF_XDP implementation and may not have direct detection commands. Monitor kernel logs for errors related to AF_XDP or xsk_drop_skb(). Check for buffer leaks or incomplete packet transmissions in network interfaces using AF_XDP.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could lead to resource exhaustion as buffer addresses are not properly released, potentially causing system instability or denial of service. It affects systems using AF_XDP sockets for high-performance networking, leading to memory leaks and unexpected behavior during packet transmission.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the Linux kernel to a patched version that includes the fix for this vulnerability. If using AF_XDP, ensure the kernel version is updated to resolve the buffer leak issue in xsk_drop_skb().

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