CVE-2026-53009
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ice network driver. An error in the driver's handling of network packet transmission, specifically when ice_tso() or ice_tx_csum() functions fail, can lead to a double-free of a network buffer (skb). This occurs because a transmit buffer (tx_buf) may still point to an already freed buffer. If the network interface is subsequently brought down, this double-free can be triggered, potentially leading to a system crash or denial of service (DoS).
Statement
A double free can occur in the Intel ice TX path when ice_xmit_frame_ring() stores an skb in the first tx_buf and marks it as ICE_TX_BUF_SKB, then an ice_tso() or ice_tx_csum() failure drops and frees the skb while the tx_buf still points to it. If no later packet overwrites that descriptor before the interface or TX ring is cleaned, ice_clean_tx_ring() can free the same skb again. For the CVSS the PR:L because a local user or process that can transmit traffic through an affected ice interface may reach the TX path, although reliable triggering also depends on forcing an offload error and a later cleanup window.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, prevent module ice from being loaded. Please see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 for how to blacklist a kernel module to prevent it from loading automatically.
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).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7 | N/A | 7 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Memory
The use of previously freed memory may corrupt valid data, if the memory area in question has been allocated and used properly elsewhere.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
If chunk consolidation occurs after the use of previously freed data, the process may crash when invalid data is used as chunk information.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Memory
Read operations on freed memory can sometimes leak sensitive information instead of causing a crash
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
If malicious data is entered before chunk consolidation can take place, it may be possible to take advantage of a write-what-where primitive to execute arbitrary code. If the newly allocated data happens to hold a class, in C++ for example, various function pointers may be scattered within the heap data. If one of these function pointers is overwritten with an address to valid shellcode, execution of arbitrary code can be achieved.
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