CVE-2026-43260 bnxt_en: Fix RSS context delete logic
A logic error in the bnxt_en driver causes VNIC leaks and potential RSS context loss, leading to denial of service for network interfaces.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-43260?
CVE-2026-43260 is a high-severity denial of service vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 6 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bnxt_en: Fix RSS context delete logic
We need to free the corresponding RSS context VNIC in FW everytime an RSS context is deleted in driver. Commit 667ac333dbb7 added a check to delete the VNIC in FW only when netif_running() is true to help delete RSS contexts with interface down.
Having that condition will make the driver leak VNICs in FW whenever close() happens with active RSS contexts. On the subsequent open(), as part of RSS context restoration, we will end up trying to create extra VNICs for which we did not make any reservation. FW can fail this request, thereby making us lose active RSS contexts.
Suppose an RSS context is deleted already and we try to process a delete request again, then the HWRM functions will check for validity of the request and they simply return if the resource is already freed. So, even for delete-when-down cases, netif_running() check is not necessary.
Remove the netif_running() condition check when deleting an RSS context.
Weakness: CWE-415
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-43260?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-43260?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.
Is CVE-2026-43260 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-43260 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-43260, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-43260, GHSA-w6jm-j85g-vpgj, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-43260.