CVE-2026-98616 eth: fbnic: reset num_napi when the napi vectors are freed
A null pointer dereference in the fbnic network driver can cause a kernel crash during specific error recovery or resume failures, leading to denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-98616?
CVE-2026-98616 is a vulnerability in Linux, published on 18 Oct 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:
eth: fbnic: reset num_napi when the napi vectors are freed
fbn->num_napi is the count of live napi vectors, each of which owns an IRQ. The PM path had freed them without clearing the count. fbnic_pm_suspend() tears the datapath down via ndo_stop() and frees the IRQs, but leaves netif_running() true so resume knows to re-open. Resume rebuilds the datapath in __fbnic_pm_resume() and fbnic_reset_queues() sets num_napi and __fbnic_open() re-allocates the vectors.
When the datapath is torn down but never rebuilt, num_napi is left pointing at freed vectors under 2 different scenarios: - a PCIe error recovery that fails (fbnic_err_slot_reset() -> __fbnic_pm_resume() returns an error -> PCI_ERS_RESULT_DISCONNECT), so .resume never runs; or - an __fbnic_open() that fails partway on resume and unwinds, freeing the vectors after fbnic_reset_queues() has already set num_napi.
The netdev is then running with num_napi > 0 but napi[] freed, and the eventual remove/unbind close re-enters fbnic_down() -> fbnic_dbg_down() and dereferences the freed vectors: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000210 RIP: fbnic_dbg_down+0x28
Clear num_napi when the vectors are freed: in the suspend teardown (a good resume re-establishes it before __fbnic_open()) and on the resume open failure. A redundant ndo_stop() then walks an empty napi[]. The normal ndo_stop() down/up cycle is untouched and keeps num_napi for the next ndo_open().
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98616?
How do I fix CVE-2026-98616?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-98616 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98616 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-98616, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98616, GHSA-mr3q-wfmx-4w6m, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98616.