CVE-2026-90219: RDMA/cxgb4: Free debugfs on registration failure

Published Sep 17, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

RDMA/cxgb4: Free debugfs on registration failure

c4iwalloc() creates the per-device debugfs tree (dev->debugfsroot via setupdebugfs()), but it is removed only in c4iwremove(), not in c4iwdealloc(). When RDMA device registration fails, the registration worker's errdeallocctx path calls c4iwdealloc() directly, bypassing c4iwremove(), so the debugfs dentries leak and outlive the freed c4iwdev.

Move debugfsremoverecursive() into c4iwdealloc() so every path that frees ctx->dev also removes its debugfs tree.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Linux kernel

Event History

Sep 17, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:07 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:07 PM
Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1

When can this leak occur?

It occurs when RDMA device registration fails after c4iw_alloc() has created the per-device debugfs tree. The registration failure path calls c4iw_dealloc() directly rather than c4iw_remove().

2

What is affected by the leaked debugfs entries?

The debugfs dentries can outlive the freed c4iw_dev object, leaving entries associated with freed device state. The issue is specific to the cxgb4 RDMA driver's registration-failure cleanup path.

3

Is normal device removal sufficient to trigger the issue?

No. Normal removal uses c4iw_remove(), which removes the debugfs tree. The leak results from the registration worker failure path that bypasses c4iw_remove().

4

What change resolves the cleanup gap?

The fix moves debugfs_remove_recursive() into c4iw_dealloc(), ensuring the debugfs tree is removed on every path that frees ctx->dev, including failed registration.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203