Linux Kernel up to 6.18.44/7.1.8 mlx5e dynamic_queue_limits.c mlx5e_activate_txqsq denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.44/7.1.8. It has been classified as critical. This impacts the function mlx5e_activate_txqsq of the file lib/dynamic_queue_limits.c of the component mlx5e. The manipulation leads to denial of service. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-74698. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.44/7.1.8. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function mlx5e_activate_txqsq of the file lib/dynamic_queue_limits.c of the component mlx5e. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: fix BQL reset on SQ re-activation mlx5e_queue_start() deactivates and re-activates all channels but closes only the queue being restarted. mlx5e_activate_txqsq() then unconditionally calls netdev_tx_reset_queue(), zeroing the BQL counters of channels that kept their in-flight TX WQEs. The next completion then over-charges and trips the BUG_ON() in dql_completed(): kernel BUG at lib/dynamic_queue_limits.c:99! RIP: 0010:dql_completed+0x23d/0x280 Call Trace: <IRQ> mlx5e_poll_tx_cq+0x668/0xa60 mlx5e_napi_poll+0x5b/0x7b0 net_rx_action+0x15a/0x580 Reset BQL only when the SQ has no bytes in flight (sq->cc == sq->pc). In the case that reset is skipped, the outstanding WQEs will eventually complete and rebalance the dql. The dql->limit is carried across the reset.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-74698 since 08/15/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/22/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1499 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 6.18.45 or 7.1.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 88664c48d7d1eca8e1ac92da85c89c26af741cf1/d2897717cd222e575599d903d885c48602699800/e7386770be1bf810bcd6af39d1e4bfeab3408430 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Denial of service
CWE: CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.45/7.1.9
Patch: 88664c48d7d1eca8e1ac92da85c89c26af741cf1/d2897717cd222e575599d903d885c48602699800/e7386770be1bf810bcd6af39d1e4bfeab3408430

Timelineinfo

08/15/2026 CVE reserved
08/22/2026 +7 days Advisory disclosed
08/22/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/22/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-74698 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74698
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-394469

Entryinfo

Created: 08/22/2026 18:55
Changes: 08/22/2026 18:55 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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