CVE-2026-97966
octeontx2-pf: reset HTB scheduler topology before freeing queues
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: octeontx2-pf: reset HTB scheduler topology before freeing queues HTB offload programs NIX_AF_TLxX_TOPOLOGY on QoS-allocated scheduler queues via otx2_qos_txschq_set_parent_topology(), but teardown freed those queues without clearing TOPOLOGY. The AF only restores PARENT and SCHEDULE on free, so PRIO_ANCHOR/RR_PRIO settings can survive in the shared scheduler pool and affect later allocations. Add otx2_qos_reset_schq_topology() and otx2_qos_free_hw_schq() to zero TL4 through TL2 TOPOLOGY before each schq is returned to the AF during hierarchy teardown and cfg rollback. Skip the aggregation level (TL1): it is a per-tx-link queue shared by the PF, default Tx hierarchy and VFs, and is not freed back to the AF by nix_txschq_free_one().
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 25, 2026, 11:17 a.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 25, 2026, 11:17 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Apply the Linux kernel patch for octeontx2-pf.
- Ensure scheduler topology is reset during queue teardown.
- Clear residual topology settings before returning queues to AF.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-97966.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-97966 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-97966
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-97966 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-97966 vulnerability over time.
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.
-
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: octeontx2-pf: reset HTB scheduler topology before freeing queues HTB offload programs NIX_AF_TLxX_TOPOLOGY on QoS-allocated scheduler queues via otx2_qos_txschq_set_parent_topology(), but teardown freed those queues without clearing TOPOLOGY. The AF only restores PARENT and SCHEDULE on free, so PRIO_ANCHOR/RR_PRIO settings can survive in the shared scheduler pool and affect later allocations. Add otx2_qos_reset_schq_topology() and otx2_qos_free_hw_schq() to zero TL4 through TL2 TOPOLOGY before each schq is returned to the AF during hierarchy teardown and cfg rollback. Skip the aggregation level (TL1): it is a per-tx-link queue shared by the PF, default Tx hierarchy and VFs, and is not freed back to the AF by nix_txschq_free_one(). Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/97xxx/CVE-2026-97966.json">CVE-2026-97966</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0aa2dd6eaa347c7aab448df0eec0afcfe7489885 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2df186418e17b30b319cf9ff81aad137692ab107 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/621c99be42e3f5cb68a6af9480a255218a761c4e Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ef39fca8508597fa565cf2be72a884a712fb98af