CVE-2026-22981
📋 TL;DR
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's idpf driver allows simultaneous hard and soft resets to cause network interfaces to lose state or crash. This affects systems using Intel Data Plane Function (IDPF) network drivers, potentially causing denial of service or system instability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with idpf driver
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel crash (NULL pointer dereference) leading to system instability or denial of service, requiring system reboot.
Likely Case
Network interface becomes unresponsive or enters DOWN state, requiring manual intervention to restore connectivity.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patch application and controlled reset procedures.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access or ability to trigger network interface operations. The vulnerability is triggered by simultaneous hard and soft resets.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 2e281e1155fc476c571c0bd2ffbfe28ab829a5c3 and ac122f5fb050903b3d262001562c452be95eaf70
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e281e1155fc476c571c0bd2ffbfe28ab829a5c3
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fixes. 2. Check kernel commit history for 2e281e1155fc and ac122f5fb050. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid simultaneous resets
linuxPrevent triggering hard and soft resets concurrently on affected network interfaces.
# Avoid running commands like these simultaneously:
# echo 1 > /sys/class/net/<interface>/device/reset &
# ethtool -L <interface> combined 8
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor for network interface state changes and unexpected DOWN states
- Implement strict change control for network interface operations to prevent simultaneous resets
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if idpf driver is loaded: lsmod | grep idpf && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel includes the fix commits: git log --oneline | grep -E '2e281e1155fc|ac122f5fb050'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel NULL pointer dereference errors
- 'idpf' driver crash messages
- Network interface state changes from UP to DOWN unexpectedly
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of network connectivity on affected interfaces
- Interface status changes without administrative action
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("idpf" OR "NULL pointer dereference") AND ("reset" OR "vport")