In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: flush skb_defer_nodes in dev_cpu_dead()
When a CPU goes offline, dev_cpu_dead() drains its softnet queues
(completion_queue, output_queue, poll_list, process_queue, and
input_pkt_queue), but leaves net_hotdata.skb_defer_nodes untouched.
If oldcpu goes offline while holding pending skbs in its
skb_defer_nodes lists (e.g. below the sysctl_skb_defer_max >> 1 IPI
threshold, or if the IPI races with CPU teardown), those skbs remain
stranded until oldcpu is brought back online. If any of these skbs
hold page_pool fragments, page_pool_destroy() will stall indefinitely
waiting for inflight pages to be returned when a netdev or driver is
torn down while oldcpu is offline.
Additionally, if smp_call_function_single_async() fails in
kick_defer_list_purge() because the target CPU went offline, reset
defer_ipi_scheduled to 0 so future IPI kicks are not blocked when the
CPU comes back online.
Also, if oldcpu was the last online CPU on its NUMA node, drain that
node's slot across all CPUs so no skbs deferred from that node remain
stranded on idle remote CPUs (or if the node itself is subsequently
offlined).
Finally, in skb_attempt_defer_free(), re-check cpu_online(cpu) and
whether the caller migrated CPUs after llist_add(), flushing the node
list if so, to close the preemption TOCTOU race against CPU/node
teardown.
net: flush skb_defer_nodes in dev_cpu_dead()
When a CPU goes offline, dev_cpu_dead() drains its softnet queues
(completion_queue, output_queue, poll_list, process_queue, and
input_pkt_queue), but leaves net_hotdata.skb_defer_nodes untouched.
If oldcpu goes offline while holding pending skbs in its
skb_defer_nodes lists (e.g. below the sysctl_skb_defer_max >> 1 IPI
threshold, or if the IPI races with CPU teardown), those skbs remain
stranded until oldcpu is brought back online. If any of these skbs
hold page_pool fragments, page_pool_destroy() will stall indefinitely
waiting for inflight pages to be returned when a netdev or driver is
torn down while oldcpu is offline.
Additionally, if smp_call_function_single_async() fails in
kick_defer_list_purge() because the target CPU went offline, reset
defer_ipi_scheduled to 0 so future IPI kicks are not blocked when the
CPU comes back online.
Also, if oldcpu was the last online CPU on its NUMA node, drain that
node's slot across all CPUs so no skbs deferred from that node remain
stranded on idle remote CPUs (or if the node itself is subsequently
offlined).
Finally, in skb_attempt_defer_free(), re-check cpu_online(cpu) and
whether the caller migrated CPUs after llist_add(), flushing the node
list if so, to close the preemption TOCTOU race against CPU/node
teardown.
Metrics
Affected Vendors & Products
Advisories
No advisories yet.
Fixes
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
No workaround given by the vendor.
References
History
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 15:30:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: flush skb_defer_nodes in dev_cpu_dead() When a CPU goes offline, dev_cpu_dead() drains its softnet queues (completion_queue, output_queue, poll_list, process_queue, and input_pkt_queue), but leaves net_hotdata.skb_defer_nodes untouched. If oldcpu goes offline while holding pending skbs in its skb_defer_nodes lists (e.g. below the sysctl_skb_defer_max >> 1 IPI threshold, or if the IPI races with CPU teardown), those skbs remain stranded until oldcpu is brought back online. If any of these skbs hold page_pool fragments, page_pool_destroy() will stall indefinitely waiting for inflight pages to be returned when a netdev or driver is torn down while oldcpu is offline. Additionally, if smp_call_function_single_async() fails in kick_defer_list_purge() because the target CPU went offline, reset defer_ipi_scheduled to 0 so future IPI kicks are not blocked when the CPU comes back online. Also, if oldcpu was the last online CPU on its NUMA node, drain that node's slot across all CPUs so no skbs deferred from that node remain stranded on idle remote CPUs (or if the node itself is subsequently offlined). Finally, in skb_attempt_defer_free(), re-check cpu_online(cpu) and whether the caller migrated CPUs after llist_add(), flushing the node list if so, to close the preemption TOCTOU race against CPU/node teardown. | |
| Title | net: flush skb_defer_nodes in dev_cpu_dead() | |
| First Time appeared |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| Vendors & Products |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| References |
|
Projects
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MITRE
Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Linux
Published:
Updated: 2026-10-18T15:18:25.282Z
Reserved: 2026-09-25T10:25:14.357Z
Link: CVE-2026-98558
Vulnrichment
No data.
NVD
Status : Received
Published: 2026-10-18T16:17:07.933
Modified: 2026-10-18T16:17:07.933
Link: CVE-2026-98558
Redhat
No data.
OpenCVE Enrichment
No data.
Weaknesses
No weakness.