CVE-2026-43260: bnxt_en: Fix RSS context delete logic

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-43260 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Double Free vulnerability in linux. EPSS estimates a 0.14% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 3.2% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 06-05-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 11-05-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bnxt_en: Fix RSS context delete logic We need to free the corresponding RSS context VNIC in FW everytime an RSS context is deleted in driver. Commit 667ac333dbb7 added a check to delete the VNIC in FW only when netif_running() is true to help delete RSS contexts with interface down. Having that condition will make the driver leak VNICs in FW whenever close() happens with active RSS contexts. On the subsequent open(), as part of RSS context restoration, we will end up trying to create extra VNICs for which we did not make any reservation. FW can fail this request, thereby making us lose active RSS contexts. Suppose an RSS context is deleted already and we try to process a delete request again, then the HWRM functions will check for validity of the request and they simply return if the resource is already freed. So, even for delete-when-down cases, netif_running() check is not necessary. Remove the netif_running() condition check when deleting an RSS context.

• CWE-415Double FreeThe product calls free() twice on the same memory address.