CVE-2026-63996: ethtool: cmis: require exact CDB reply length
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ethtool: cmis: require exact CDB reply length
Malicious SFP module could respond with rpllen longer than what cmiscdbprocessreply() expected, leading to OOB writes. Malicious HW is a bit theoretical but some modules may just be buggy and/or the reads may occasionally get corrupted, so let's protect the kernel.
The existing check protects from short replies. We need to protect from long ones, too. All callers that pass a non-zero rplexplen cast the reply payload to a fixed-layout struct and read fields at fixed offsets, with no version negotiation or short-reply handling:
- cmiscdbvalidatepassword() - cmiscdbmodulefeaturesget() - cmisfwupdatefwmngfeaturesget()
so let's assume that responses longer than expected do not have to be handled gracefully here. Add a warning message to make the debug easier in case my understanding is wrong...
Note that pagedata->length (argument of kmalloc) comes from last arg to ethtoolcmispageinit() which is rplexplen.
Note2 that AIs also like to point out overflows in args->req.payload itself (which is a fixed-size 120 B buffer, on the stack), but callers should be reading structs defined by the standard, so protecting from requests for more data than max seem like defensive programming.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Compensating control
Require CMIS CDB replies to have exactly the expected length before processing; reject both longer and shorter replies to prevent out-of-bounds writes when parsing fixed-layout response structs.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-63996?
The severity of CVE-2026-63996 is rated at risk level 40.
How do I fix CVE-2026-63996?
To fix CVE-2026-63996, update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that addresses this vulnerability.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-63996?
CVE-2026-63996 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability resulting from improper handling of CDB reply lengths in the ethtool cmis driver.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-63996?
Users of the Linux kernel with ethtool cmis drivers may be affected by CVE-2026-63996 if malicious hardware is present.
When was CVE-2026-63996 published?
CVE-2026-63996 was published on July 19, 2026.