CVE-2026-43296

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: octeontx2-af: Workaround SQM/PSE stalls by disabling sticky NIX SQ manager sticky mode is known to cause stalls when multiple SQs share an SMQ and transmit concurrently. Additionally, PSE may deadlock on transitions between sticky and non-sticky transmissions. There is also a credit drop issue observed when certain condition clocks are gated. work around these hardware errata by: - Disabling SQM sticky operation: - Clear TM6 (bit 15) - Clear TM11 (bit 14) - Disabling sticky → non-sticky transition path that can deadlock PSE: - Clear TM5 (bit 23) - Preventing credit drops by keeping the control-flow clock enabled: - Set TM9 (bit 21) These changes are applied via NIX_AF_SQM_DBG_CTL_STATUS. With this configuration the SQM/PSE maintain forward progress under load without credit loss, at the cost of disabling sticky optimizations.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-05-08
Last modified 2026-05-15
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.5

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-667

CVE-2026-43296 is a Improper Locking vulnerability

What is Improper Locking?

The product does not properly acquire or release a lock, which can lead to unexpected behaviour. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.5 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.252, 5.15.202, 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.16, 6.19.6, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.5
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.252 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.202 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.165 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.128 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.75 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.16 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.6 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-43296 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-43296?

    CVE-2026-43296 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10 , classified as an Improper Locking flaw (CWE-667) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.5 onward and has been patched in 5.10.252, 5.15.202, 6.1.165 and others. CVE-2026-43296 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-43296?

    CVE-2026-43296 has a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-43296?

    Yes — CVE-2026-43296 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.252, 5.15.202, 6.1.165 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.5 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-43296 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-43296 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Improper Locking (CWE-667)?

    The product does not properly acquire or release a lock, which can lead to unexpected behaviour. View CWE-667 on MITRE CWE →