CVE-2026-64177: phonet/pep: disable BH around forwarded sk_receive_skb()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
phonet/pep: disable BH around forwarded skreceiveskb()
The networking receive path is usually run from softirq context, but protocols that take the socket lock may have packets stored in the backlog and processed later from process context. In that case releasesock() -> releasesock() drops the slock with spinunlockbh() and then calls sk->skbacklogrcv() with bottom halves enabled.
Typical skbacklogrcv handlers process the socket whose backlog is being drained, so the BH state at entry is irrelevant for the slocks they touch. pepdorcv() is different: when the inbound skb targets an existing PEP pipe, it forwards the skb to a different child socket via skreceiveskb(). That helper takes the child slock with bhlocksocknested(), which is just spinlocknested() and assumes BH is already off. The same child slock therefore ends up acquired with BH on (process path) and with BH off (softirq path):
process context softirq context --------------- --------------- releasesock(listener) netifreceiveskb() releasesock() phonetrcv() spinunlockbh() skreceiveskb(listener) [BH now ENABLED] [BH already disabled] skbacklogrcv: skbacklogrcv: pepdorcv() pepdorcv() skreceiveskb(child) skreceiveskb(child) bhlocksocknested(child) bhlocksocknested(child) => SOFTIRQ-ON-W => IN-SOFTIRQ-W
Lockdep flags this as inconsistent lock state, and it can become a real self-deadlock if a softirq on the same CPU tries to receive to the same child socket while its slock is held in the BH-enabled path:
WARNING: inconsistent lock state inconsistent {SOFTIRQ-ON-W} -> {IN-SOFTIRQ-W} usage. (slock-AFPHONET/1){+.?.}-{3:3}, at: skreceiveskb+0x1cf/0x900 skreceiveskb net/core/sock.c:563 skreceiveskb include/net/sock.h:2022 [inline] pepdorcv net/phonet/pep.c:675 skbacklogrcv include/net/sock.h:1190 releasesock net/core/sock.c:3216 releasesock net/core/sock.c:3815 pepsockaccept net/phonet/pep.c:879
Wrap the forwarded skreceiveskb() in localbhdisable() / localbhenable() so the child slock is always acquired with BH off. localbhdisable() nests safely on the softirq path.
Discovered via in-house syzkaller fuzzing; the same root cause also on the linux-6.1.y syzbot dashboard as extid 44f0626dd6284f02663c. Reproduced under KASAN + LOCKDEP + PROVELOCKING, reproducer: https://pastebin.com/A3t8xzCR
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Configuration
Apply the patch described in the material that wraps forwarded sk_receive_skb() in net/phonet/pep.c with local_bh_disable() / local_bh_enable(), so the child socket lock (child slock) is acquired with BH disabled instead of transitioning from {SOFTIRQ-ON-W} to {IN-SOFTIRQ-W} usage.
Linux kernel (net/phonet/pep) bottom halves (BH) handling around forwarded sk_receive_skb() = disable BH around forwarded sk_receive_skb and enable it afterward (local_bh_disable()/local_bh_enable()) - Compensating control
Run affected systems with KASAN + LOCKDEP + PROVE_LOCKING (as in the reproducer described) to confirm the inconsistent lock state is resolved after applying the BH-handling fix.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-64177?
CVE-2026-64177 has a risk rating of 35.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64177?
To fix CVE-2026-64177, update your Linux kernel to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-64177?
CVE-2026-64177 is a networking-related vulnerability in the Linux kernel.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-64177?
CVE-2026-64177 affects systems running a vulnerable version of the Linux kernel.
What impact does CVE-2026-64177 have on system security?
CVE-2026-64177 may lead to issues in the networking receive path due to improper packet processing.