Kernel crash via premature BQL counter reset
Published Aug 22, 2026 · Updated Aug 22, 2026
Denial of service in Linux kernel 6.17 through 6.18.44 and 6.19 through 7.1.8 allows local users to trigger a kernel crash. During queue reactivation, mlx5e_activate_txqsq() resets BQL counters even when other channels retain in-flight transmit WQEs, so the next completion overcharges dql_completed() and trips its BUG_ON(). Reaching the fault requires high local privileges, an active mlx5e interface, in-flight transmit work, and queue reactivation; the bounded consequence is a kernel crash.
Summary
What happened
Denial of service in Linux kernel 6.17 through 6.18.44 and 6.19 through 7.1.8 allows local users to trigger a kernel crash. During queue reactivation, mlx5e_activate_txqsq() resets BQL counters even when other channels retain in-flight transmit WQEs, so the next completion overcharges dql_completed() and trips its BUG_ON(). Reaching the fault requires high local privileges, an active mlx5e interface, in-flight transmit work, and queue reactivation; the bounded consequence is a kernel crash.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-74698
- Published
- Aug 22, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 22, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 22, 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=6.17
- Affected versionversion=b2588ea40ec9472688289c1a644627c0f4a1f33f <88664c48d7d1eca8e1ac92da85c89c26af741cf1
- Affected versionversion=b2588ea40ec9472688289c1a644627c0f4a1f33f <d2897717cd222e575599d903d885c48602699800
- Affected versionversion=b2588ea40ec9472688289c1a644627c0f4a1f33f <e7386770be1bf810bcd6af39d1e4bfeab3408430
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What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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