Deadlock in Linux kernel RDS InfiniBand on protocol version mismatch
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel RDS InfiniBand code calls rds_conn_destroy() when a peer negotiates a protocol version older than RDS_PROTOCOL_COMPAT_VERSION, and that call can deadlock with the connection shutdown work. A remote peer that negotiates such a version can stall the RDS connection workqueues permanently, without needing any privileges. The Linux kernel is affected from 2.6.37 before the fixed releases.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rds: ib: use rds_conn_drop() on protocol version mismatch rds_ib_cm_connect_complete() runs from the RDMA-CM event handler with conn->c_cm_lock held. When the peer negotiates a protocol version older than RDS_PROTOCOL_COMPAT_VERSION, the handler calls rds_conn_destroy(), which is only safe in the rmmod path: it synchronously tears the connection down and flush_work()es the shutdown work cp_down_w. That shutdown work (rds_conn_shutdown()) needs cp_cm_lock, which is the very lock the event handler still holds, so the flush never completes: the two workers wait on each other and the RDS connection workqueues stall for good. All other RDMA-CM failure paths (REJECTED, CONNECT_ERROR, DISCONNECTED) use rds_conn_drop(), which marks the connection RDS_CONN_ERROR and schedules the shutdown work asynchronously. Use it here as well.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 2.6.37 and later | 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8, 7.3 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 2.6.37 and later Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8, 7.3 Patch available CNA
Remediation
The Linux kernel is fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 and 7.3. The sources list no fixed version for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8, 7.3
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
Not affected: 5 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Timeline
- 2026-10-06 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98257
- 2026-10-06 Alias added: GHSA-36mq-8633-f579
- 2026-10-07 CVSS score added · CNA
- 2026-10-11 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-11 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-10-19 Fix available: Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-23 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Other 8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/424019be3f637da76b74f44a40034669acbb166f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/14fb90067d13f4494cff0f03243fae3cf2911cbc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/344c72a0bc2703a6de4918ed935850e07dae3af2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5c9f2951d330d4a198a64d6e60f79b4bd6ef078
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d392b16acd0908f077289aad8bba066ff16de336
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/65ca0a5037152a5a80b8fe6aac80eb80458be573
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d8c22cb2cb1efb5e830a4545c76abf7b35cc2e8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f97d8c7bab7843631206a114986c9059da03efeb
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Sources
- CVE-2026-98257 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98257 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-36mq-8633-f579 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98257 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences