CVE-2026-23441: net/mlx5e: Prevent concurrent access to IPSec ASO context
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/mlx5e: Prevent concurrent access to IPSec ASO context
The query or updating IPSec offload object is through Access ASO WQE. The driver uses a single mlx5eipsecaso struct for each PF, which contains a shared DMA-mapped context for all ASO operations.
A race condition exists because the ASO spinlock is released before the hardware has finished processing WQE. If a second operation is initiated immediately after, it overwrites the shared context in the DMA area.
When the first operation's completion is processed later, it reads this corrupted context, leading to unexpected behavior and incorrect results.
This commit fixes the race by introducing a private context within each IPSec offload object. The shared ASO context is now copied to this private context while the ASO spinlock is held. Subsequent processing uses this saved, per-object context, ensuring its integrity is maintained.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
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debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.115-2Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1061.64~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1063.71~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1062.69~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1064.72~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-136.136~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1061.62~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-136.136.2~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.62~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.61~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-136.136~22.04.3 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.1-1056.57~22.04.2 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-136.136 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-awsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1061.64 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azureto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1063.71 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fdeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1062.69 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1064.72 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gketo a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.67 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gkeopto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.50 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1061.62 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-lowlatencyto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-136.136.2 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidiato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.62 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatencyto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.62.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegrato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1030.31 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracleto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.61 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspito a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1061.65 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-xilinxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1033.34 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-bluefieldto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1028.33 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-2050.52 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.1-1056.57 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1061.64+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1063.71+fips2 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-136.136+fips2 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1064.72+fips1 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.6.130 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.12.78 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.18.20 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.19.10
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are exposed to this issue?
Systems using the Linux kernel mlx5e driver with IPSec offload operations are exposed. The issue is associated with a shared per-PF ASO DMA context used by IPSec offload objects.
What conditions are required to trigger the race?
An attacker or local user needs the ability to cause IPSec offload ASO operations to occur concurrently or in rapid succession. A second operation must overwrite the shared DMA context after the ASO spinlock is released but before hardware processing of the first work queue entry completes.
What is the likely impact if the race occurs?
The completion processing for the first operation can read a corrupted context, causing unexpected behavior and incorrect results. The provided CVSS vector rates availability impact as high, with no stated confidentiality or integrity impact.
What changes in the fix?
The fix gives each IPSec offload object a private context. While holding the ASO spinlock, the driver copies the shared ASO context into that private context, and later processing uses the saved per-object copy instead of the shared DMA area.