CVE-2026-98619

net: ethtool: keep rtnl_lock for the ioctl self test

Published Oct 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.4 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: ethtool: keep rtnl_lock for the ioctl self test

An offline self test that brings the interface down and back up with
netif_close() / netif_open() requires rtnl_lock for both. Since the
ethtool IOCTL path became rtnl-optional for ops-locked drivers, the
ETHTOOL_TEST ioctl runs holding only the netdev instance lock, so on an
ops-locked driver the self test now tears the device down without
rtnl_lock.

With lockdep this reproduces deterministically on every offline self
test on such a driver; note the sole lock held is the instance lock, not
rtnl:

WARNING: suspicious RCU usage
net/core/netpoll.c:207 suspicious rcu_dereference_protected() usage!
1 lock held by ethtool/107:
#0: (&dev->lock){+.+.}, at: dev_ethtool
Call Trace:
netpoll_poll_disable
__dev_close_many
netif_close_many
netif_close
fbnic_self_test
dev_ethtool_locked
dev_ethtool
dev_ioctl
sock_ioctl
__x64_sys_ioctl

Without lockdep the same condition trips ASSERT_RTNL() in
__dev_close_many() / __dev_open(); that check only samples the global
rtnl state, so it can be masked by a concurrent rtnl holder, but the
device is still being reconfigured without the lock it requires.

The ethtool self_test is a legacy ioctl-only command, so an ETHTOOL_TEST
case is only needed on the ioctl path. Add an opt-in bit for drivers whose
self test needs rtnl_lock and set it on the ops-locked drivers whose
offline self test tears the interface down and up:

- fbnic (ops-locked via queue_mgmt_ops): fbnic_self_test() offline path
uses netif_close() / netif_open().
- bnxt (ops-locked via queue_mgmt_ops): bnxt_self_test() offline path
goes through bnxt_close_nic() / bnxt_half_open_nic() /
bnxt_half_close_nic() / bnxt_open_nic(), which close and reopen the
device.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-823
CWE-824
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-413
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-823
CWE-824
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ethtool: keep rtnl_lock for the ioctl self test An offline self test that brings the interface down and back up with netif_close() / netif_open() requires rtnl_lock for both. Since the ethtool IOCTL path became rtnl-optional for ops-locked drivers, the ETHTOOL_TEST ioctl runs holding only the netdev instance lock, so on an ops-locked driver the self test now tears the device down without rtnl_lock. With lockdep this reproduces deterministically on every offline self test on such a driver; note the sole lock held is the instance lock, not rtnl: WARNING: suspicious RCU usage net/core/netpoll.c:207 suspicious rcu_dereference_protected() usage! 1 lock held by ethtool/107: #0: (&dev->lock){+.+.}, at: dev_ethtool Call Trace: netpoll_poll_disable __dev_close_many netif_close_many netif_close fbnic_self_test dev_ethtool_locked dev_ethtool dev_ioctl sock_ioctl __x64_sys_ioctl Without lockdep the same condition trips ASSERT_RTNL() in __dev_close_many() / __dev_open(); that check only samples the global rtnl state, so it can be masked by a concurrent rtnl holder, but the device is still being reconfigured without the lock it requires. The ethtool self_test is a legacy ioctl-only command, so an ETHTOOL_TEST case is only needed on the ioctl path. Add an opt-in bit for drivers whose self test needs rtnl_lock and set it on the ops-locked drivers whose offline self test tears the interface down and up: - fbnic (ops-locked via queue_mgmt_ops): fbnic_self_test() offline path uses netif_close() / netif_open(). - bnxt (ops-locked via queue_mgmt_ops): bnxt_self_test() offline path goes through bnxt_close_nic() / bnxt_half_open_nic() / bnxt_half_close_nic() / bnxt_open_nic(), which close and reopen the device.
Title net: ethtool: keep rtnl_lock for the ioctl self test
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 9:22 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 18, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:19 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 AM