CVE-2026-64122
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver. The mlx5e_tx_reporter_timeout_recover function attempts to access network device resources after they have been deallocated, leading to a use-after-free vulnerability. This could allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service (system crash) or potentially escalate privileges.
Statement
A use after free can occur in the mlx5e TX timeout recovery path because mlx5e_tx_reporter_timeout_recover accesses sq netdev after mlx5e_safe_reopen_channels may have torn down and freed the channel containing that SQ. The observed failure is a KASAN UAF read in a workqueue recovery path and the most realistic impact is a kernel crash or driver recovery failure. For the CVSS the PR:L is used for the paranoid score because a local user or process may be able to create TX activity and help reach the timeout recovery path, although reliable triggering still depends on device state and a race window. The issue is not directly network reachable as a packet processing bug and is not expected to be triggered simply by remote inbound traffic. Impact is at least local denial of service via kernel crash and in worst case may allow limited confidentiality or integrity impact due to UAF memory reuse, so it should be reviewed manually.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
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 | 4.7 | N/A | 9.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | 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:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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