# CVE-2026-43465: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  net/mlx5e: RX, Fix XDP multi-buf frag counting f...

CVE-2026-43465 is fixed in 38 products on 1 platform, first by ALAS2023-2026-1596, released April 27, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Urgent.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-43465
- Priority: Urgent
- CVSS: 9.8 (critical)
- EPSS: 0.0054
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Apr 27, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  net/mlx5e: RX, Fix XDP multi-buf frag counting for striding RQ  XDP multi-buf programs can modify the layout of the XDP buffer when the program calls bpf_xdp_pull_data() or bpf_xdp_adjust_tail(). The referenced commit in the fixes tag corrected the assumption in the mlx5 driver that the XDP buffer layout doesn't change during a program execution. However, this fix introduced another issue: the dropped fragments still need to be counted on the driver side to avoid page fragment reference counting issues.  The issue was discovered by the drivers/net/xdp.py selftest, more specifically the test_xdp_native_tx_mb: - The mlx5 driver allocates a page_pool page and initializes it with   a frag counter of 64 (pp_ref_count=64) and the internal frag counter   to 0. - The test sends one packet with no payload. - On RX (mlx5e_skb_from_cqe_mpwrq_nonlinear()), mlx5 configures the XDP   buffer with the packet data starting in the first fragment which is the   page mentioned above. - The XDP program runs and calls bpf_xdp_pull_data() which moves the   header into the linear part of the XDP buffer. As the packet doesn't   contain more data, the program drops the tail fragment since it no   longer contains any payload (pp_ref_count=63). - mlx5 device skips counting this fragment. Internal frag counter   remains 0. - mlx5 releases all 64 fragments of the page but page pp_ref_count is   63 => negative reference counting error.  Resulting splat during the test:    WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 188225 at ./include/net/page_pool/helpers.h:297 mlx5e_page_release_fragmented.isra.0+0xbd/0xe0 [mlx5_core]   Modules linked in: [...]   CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 188225 Comm: ip Not tainted 6.18.0-rc7_for_upstream_min_debug_2025_12_08_11_44 #1 NONE   Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS rel-1.13.0-0-gf21b5a4aeb02-prebuilt.qemu.org 04/01/2014   RIP: 0010:mlx5e_page_release_fragmented.isra.0+0xbd/0xe0 [mlx5_core]   [...]   Call Trace:    <TASK>    mlx5e_free_rx_mpwqe+0x20a/0x250 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_dealloc_rx_mpwqe+0x37/0xb0 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_free_rx_descs+0x11a/0x170 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_close_rq+0x78/0xa0 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_close_queues+0x46/0x2a0 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_close_channel+0x24/0x90 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_close_channels+0x5d/0xf0 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_safe_switch_params+0x2ec/0x380 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_change_mtu+0x11d/0x490 [mlx5_core]    mlx5e_change_nic_mtu+0x19/0x30 [mlx5_core]    netif_set_mtu_ext+0xfc/0x240    do_setlink.isra.0+0x226/0x1100    rtnl_newlink+0x7a9/0xba0    rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x220/0x3c0    netlink_rcv_skb+0x4b/0xf0    netlink_unicast+0x255/0x380    netlink_sendmsg+0x1f3/0x420    __sock_sendmsg+0x38/0x60    ____sys_sendmsg+0x1e8/0x240    ___sys_sendmsg+0x7c/0xb0    [...]    __sys_sendmsg+0x5f/0xb0    do_syscall_64+0x55/0xc70  The problem applies for XDP_PASS as well which is handled in a different code path in the driver.  This patch fixes the issue by doing page frag counting on all the original XDP buffer fragments for all relevant XDP actions (XDP_TX , XDP_REDIRECT and XDP_PASS). This is basically reverting to the original counting before the commit in the fixes tag.  As frag_page is still pointing to the original tail, the nr_frags parameter to xdp_update_skb_frags_info() needs to be calculated in a different way to reflect the new nr_frags.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | bpftool6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | bpftool6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | dtb-aarch64 opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-64kb opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-64kb sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.2 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-64kb sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-azure opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-azure sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.2 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-azure sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.2 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default-base opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1.160000.2.17 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default-base sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.2.150700.17.41.4 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default-base sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1.160000.2.17 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-docs opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-docs sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-docs sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-kvmsmall opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-kvmsmall sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-livepatch-6.18.20-20.229 amzn 2023 | 1:1.0-0.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP7-RT_Update_18 sles 15.7 | 1-150700.1.5.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3130-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3130-1.md) | Jul 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP7_Update_19 sles 15.7 | 1-150700.15.3.4 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-build opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-build sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.2 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-qa opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-qa sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-rt opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-source opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-source sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-source sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-syms opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-syms sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-syms sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-zfcpdump opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:21388-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-21388-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-zfcpdump sles 15.7 | 6.4.0-150700.53.73.2 | [SUSE-SU-2026:3166-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-3166-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-zfcpdump sles 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.36.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:22835-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-22835-1.md) | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-debuginfo-common-aarch64 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-debuginfo-common-x86_64 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-headers amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-libbpf amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-libbpf-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-libbpf-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-libbpf-static amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-modules-extra amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-modules-extra-common amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-tools amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-tools-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel6.18-tools-devel amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 6.12.115-2 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-43465](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-43465.md) | May 15, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 6.19.10-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-43465](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-43465.md) | May 15, 2026 |
| Linux | perf6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | perf6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | python3-perf6.18 amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |
| Linux | python3-perf6.18-debuginfo amzn 2023 | 1:6.18.20-20.229.amzn2023 | [ALAS2023-2026-1596](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1596.md) | Apr 27, 2026 |

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