Kernel crash via exposed idpf reset callbacks
Published Jan 23, 2026 · Updated Jan 23, 2026
NULL pointer dereference in the Linux Kernel idpf driver allows local users to crash the kernel during failed network-interface resets. The reset path deallocates vport resources while leaving the netdev exposed to callbacks, so a later ifup or ifdown reaches idpf_stop with uninitialized state. Triggering requires local privileges to manipulate the idpf interface or reset controls; the documented consequence is loss of interface state or a kernel crash.
Summary
What happened
NULL pointer dereference in the Linux Kernel idpf driver allows local users to crash the kernel during failed network-interface resets. The reset path deallocates vport resources while leaving the netdev exposed to callbacks, so a later ifup or ifdown reaches idpf_stop with uninitialized state. Triggering requires local privileges to manipulate the idpf interface or reset controls; the documented consequence is loss of interface state or a kernel crash.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-22981
- Published
- Jan 23, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 23, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- CWE-476, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 23, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 23, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34 <2e281e1155fc476c571c0bd2ffbfe28ab829a5c3
- Affected versionversion=0fe45467a1041ea3657a7fa3a791c84c104fbd34 <ac122f5fb050903b3d262001562c452be95eaf70
- Affected versionversion=6.7
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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