CVE-2026-97953
net: stmmac: fix TX descriptor availability check for TSO traffic
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: stmmac: fix TX descriptor availability check for TSO traffic stmmac_tso_xmit() estimates the number of free TX descriptors required by a TSO skb as: (skb->len - proto_hdr_len) / TSO_MAX_BUFF_SIZE + 1 which assumes the payload is split into TSO_MAX_BUFF_SIZE chunks. This underestimates the descriptors actually consumed by stmmac_tso_allocator(), since each fragment is mapped individually and so it needs at least one descriptor regardless of its size. Moreover, one descriptor is used for the L2/L3/L4 headers and, when the MSS changes, one more is consumed for the MSS context descriptor. For a highly fragmented TSO skb the check can therefore pass even when the ring has too few free slots. stmmac_tso_allocator() then writes past the available descriptors, overwriting descriptors still owned by the DMA engine, corrupting the TX ring. Add stmmac_tso_get_num_desc() to compute the exact number of descriptors needed for the header, the linear payload and each fragment, plus the MSS context descriptor when required, and use it in the availability check.
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 25, 2026, 11:17 a.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 25, 2026, 3:18 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 |
Solution
- Calculate exact TX descriptors needed for TSO skbs.
- Use the accurate count in the TX descriptor availability check.
- Apply the patch to the Linux kernel stmmac driver.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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CVE-2026-97953.
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associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
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stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-97953
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
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Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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CVE Modified by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Sep. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Sep. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: stmmac: fix TX descriptor availability check for TSO traffic stmmac_tso_xmit() estimates the number of free TX descriptors required by a TSO skb as: (skb->len - proto_hdr_len) / TSO_MAX_BUFF_SIZE + 1 which assumes the payload is split into TSO_MAX_BUFF_SIZE chunks. This underestimates the descriptors actually consumed by stmmac_tso_allocator(), since each fragment is mapped individually and so it needs at least one descriptor regardless of its size. Moreover, one descriptor is used for the L2/L3/L4 headers and, when the MSS changes, one more is consumed for the MSS context descriptor. For a highly fragmented TSO skb the check can therefore pass even when the ring has too few free slots. stmmac_tso_allocator() then writes past the available descriptors, overwriting descriptors still owned by the DMA engine, corrupting the TX ring. Add stmmac_tso_get_num_desc() to compute the exact number of descriptors needed for the header, the linear payload and each fragment, plus the MSS context descriptor when required, and use it in the availability check. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/97xxx/CVE-2026-97953.json">CVE-2026-97953</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e38d732ec67a5b1f9a56e6c73add480c4b6030a Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/65820fc743eae322f7f94f6a64d07861211d4b21 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c28175220f808c867d5618de8ecc6dbcc815c773 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ffa6d2481bc1c87f822ecd626561484e4ee24cef