CVE-2026-99043
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ice: fix metadata_dst refcount handling on representor teardown ice_eswitch_release_repr() uses metadata_dst_free() to release the representor's metadata_dst. metadata_dst_free() directly frees the underlying memory without checking the dst_entry refcount. When ice_eswitch_port_start_xmit() processes a packet, it takes a reference via dst_hold() and attaches the metadata_dst to the skb. If the representor is torn down while packets are still queued on the lower device (e.g. in a qdisc), the metadata_dst is freed while references are still held. Use dst_release() instead, which correctly decrements the refcount and only frees the object when all references are dropped. The dst subsystem already handles metadata_dst cleanup in dst_destroy() when DST_METADATA is set. Other drivers sharing this pattern (nfp, airoha, bnxt) already use dst_release() for their metadata_dst lifecycle.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
5.16
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.6.160,
6.12.113,
6.18.57,
7.2.11,
7.3
and their respective stable series.
References
5 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-99043?
CVE-2026-99043 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.16 onward and has been patched in 6.6.160, 6.12.113, 6.18.57 and others. CVE-2026-99043 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-99043?
Yes. CVE-2026-99043 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.160, 6.12.113, 6.18.57 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.16 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-99043 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-99043 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.