CVE-2026-64190: net: team: fix NULL pointer dereference in team_xmit during mode change
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: team: fix NULL pointer dereference in teamxmit during mode change
teamchangemode() clears team->ops with memset() before restoring safe dummy handlers via teamadjustops(). A concurrent teamxmit() running under RCU on another CPU can read team->ops.transmit during this window and call a NULL function pointer, crashing the kernel.
The race requires a mode change (CAPNETADMIN) concurrent with transmit on the team device.
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000 Oops: 0010 [#1] SMP KASAN NOPTI RIP: 0010:0x0 Call Trace: teamxmit (drivers/net/team/teamcore.c:1853) devhardstartxmit (net/core/dev.c:3904) devqueuexmit (net/core/dev.c:4871) packetsendmsg (net/packet/afpacket.c:3109) syssendto (net/socket.c:2265)
The original code assumed that no ports means no traffic, so mode changes could freely memset()/memcpy() the ops. AFPACKET with forced carrier breaks that assumption.
Prevent the race instead of making it safe: replace memset()/memcpy() with per-field updates that never touch transmit or receive. Those two handlers are managed solely by teamadjustops(), which already installs dummies when txenportcount == 0 (always true during mode change since no ports are present). WRITEONCE/READONCE prevent store/load tearing on the handler pointers.
synchronizenet() before exitop() drains in-flight readers that may still reference old mode state from before port removal switched the handlers to dummies.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Compensating control
Reduce the risk of concurrent team mode changes with AF_PACKET transmission by preventing CAP_NET_ADMIN from changing Linux team mode while traffic is being sent/handled (e.g., restrict timing/automation or temporarily block team mode changes during high AF_PACKET activity).
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-64190?
CVE-2026-64190 has a risk rating of 37, indicating a potentially critical vulnerability.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64190?
To mitigate CVE-2026-64190, ensure you update to the patched version of the Linux Kernel that addresses this NULL pointer dereference issue.
What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2026-64190?
CVE-2026-64190 is classified as a Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability in the Linux Kernel.
What does CVE-2026-64190 affect?
CVE-2026-64190 affects the networking component of the Linux Kernel specifically related to team mode changes.
When was CVE-2026-64190 published?
CVE-2026-64190 was published on July 20, 2026.