Vulnerability Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xsk: clear metadata pointer when no timestamp is requested User space can change metadata flags after request processing. Rereading them during completion can therefore make the kernel write a timestamp that was not requested when the packet was submitted. Clear the metadata pointer during request processing unless timestamp completion is requested. Completion handling can then use the pointer itself instead of rereading the flags. On the mlx5 multi-packet WQE path metadata is evaluated per batch: xsk_tx_metadata_request() runs only for the descriptor that starts a session, just like the checksum offload that is applied once through the shared WQE. Only that descriptor's pointer is reset, so completion handling can record a timestamp for the other descriptors of the session regardless of their own XDP_TXMD_FLAGS_TIMESTAMP bit. The write stays inside the metadata area; the single-WQE, other zero-copy, and generic paths reset the pointer per descriptor and are unaffected.
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ba2e1eb07a826d021344e2f146b6716c58139eb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f60a67df8d3c862503bee62bada8e7089cba438
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb4c613d4ebc3f664e70d572b8867ba114a8754e
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-74709?
CVE-2026-74709 is a documented vulnerability. In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xsk: clear metadata pointer when no timestamp is requested User space can change metadata flags after request processing. Rereadin...
How severe is CVE-2026-74709?
CVSS scoring is not yet available for CVE-2026-74709. Check NVD for updates.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-74709?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.