CVE-2026-23070
Description
From CVE.org
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Octeontx2-af: Add proper checks for fwdata firmware populates MAC address, link modes (supported, advertised) and EEPROM data in shared firmware structure which kernel access via MAC block(CGX/RPM). Accessing fwdata, on boards booted with out MAC block leading to kernel panics. Internal error: Oops: 0000000096000005 [#1] SMP [ 10.460721] Modules linked in: [ 10.463779] CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 174 Comm: kworker/0:3 Not tainted 6.19.0-rc5-00154-g76ec646abdf7-dirty #3 PREEMPT [ 10.474045] Hardware name: Marvell OcteonTX CN98XX board (DT) [ 10.479793] Workqueue: events work_for_cpu_fn [ 10.484159] pstate: 80400009 (Nzcv daif +PAN -UAO -TCO -DIT -SSBS BTYPE=--) [ 10.491124] pc : rvu_sdp_init+0x18/0x114 [ 10.495051] lr : rvu_probe+0xe58/0x1d18
Statement
A kernel crash can occur in the OcteonTX2 AF driver on boards that boot without the MAC block because the driver may access firmware shared data through rvu fwdata without verifying it is mapped. In that configuration rvu_sdp_init can dereference rvu fwdata unconditionally when checking channel_data valid. This triggers a NULL pointer dereference and panics the kernel during initialization or during later mailbox based operations such as link mode handling. For the CVSS the PR is typically H because triggering the affected paths usually requires administrative control over the device environment and operations like driver probing or privileged net device configuration. The issue is not network reachable and is specific to certain hardware and firmware configurations. Impact is denial of service through a kernel panic.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.5 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | None | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | N/A |
| Confidentiality | None | None | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | High | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
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