CVE-2026-53090: bpf: Fix ld_{abs,ind} failure path analysis in subprogs
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf: Fix ld{abs,ind} failure path analysis in subprogs
Usage of ld{abs,ind} instructions got extended into subprogs some time ago via commit 09b28d76eac4 ("bpf: Add abnormal return checks."). These are only allowed in subprograms when the latter are BTF annotated and have scalar return types.
The code generator in bpfgenldabs() has an abnormal exit path (r0=0 + exit) from legacy cBPF times. While the enforcement is on scalar return types, the verifier must also simulate the path of abnormal exit if the packet data load via ld{abs,ind} failed.
This is currently not the case. Fix it by having the verifier simulate both success and failure paths, and extend it in similar ways as we do for tail calls. The success path (r0=unknown, continue to next insn) is pushed onto stack for later validation and the r0=0 and return to the caller is done on the fall-through side.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Compensating control
Update the BPF verifier to simulate the abnormal exit path and the success fall-through path generated by bpf_gen_ld_abs() for ld_{abs,ind} instructions in subprograms, including both failure (r0=0 and return) and success (r0=unknown, continue) paths.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Does exploitation require remote access or elevated privileges?
The vulnerability is rated with local attack vector and low privileges required. The provided data does not indicate a network-reachable attack path.
What conditions are relevant to the affected BPF code path?
The issue concerns ld_abs and ld_ind packet-data load instructions used in BPF subprograms. Those instructions are allowed in subprograms only when the subprograms are BTF-annotated and have scalar return types.
What is the potential security impact?
The supplied severity vector rates confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact as high. Its overall CVSS score is 7.8, rated high severity.