In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

mlx5: Fix default values in create CQ

Currently, CQs without a completion function are assigned the
mlx5_add_cq_to_tasklet function by default. This is problematic since
only user CQs created through the mlx5_ib driver are intended to use
this function.

Additionally, all CQs that will use doorbells instead of polling for
completions must call mlx5_cq_arm. However, the default CQ creation flow
leaves a valid value in the CQ's arm_db field, allowing FW to send
interrupts to polling-only CQs in certain corner cases.

These two factors would allow a polling-only kernel CQ to be triggered
by an EQ interrupt and call a completion function intended only for user
CQs, causing a null pointer exception.

Some areas in the driver have prevented this issue with one-off fixes
but did not address the root cause.

This patch fixes the described issue by adding defaults to the create CQ
flow. It adds a default dummy completion function to protect against
null pointer exceptions, and it sets an invalid command sequence number
by default in kernel CQs to prevent the FW from sending an interrupt to
the CQ until it is armed. User CQs are responsible for their own
initialization values.

Callers of mlx5_core_create_cq are responsible for changing the
completion function and arming the CQ per their needs.
Advisories

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Fixes

Solution

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Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mlx5: Fix default values in create CQ Currently, CQs without a completion function are assigned the mlx5_add_cq_to_tasklet function by default. This is problematic since only user CQs created through the mlx5_ib driver are intended to use this function. Additionally, all CQs that will use doorbells instead of polling for completions must call mlx5_cq_arm. However, the default CQ creation flow leaves a valid value in the CQ's arm_db field, allowing FW to send interrupts to polling-only CQs in certain corner cases. These two factors would allow a polling-only kernel CQ to be triggered by an EQ interrupt and call a completion function intended only for user CQs, causing a null pointer exception. Some areas in the driver have prevented this issue with one-off fixes but did not address the root cause. This patch fixes the described issue by adding defaults to the create CQ flow. It adds a default dummy completion function to protect against null pointer exceptions, and it sets an invalid command sequence number by default in kernel CQs to prevent the FW from sending an interrupt to the CQ until it is armed. User CQs are responsible for their own initialization values. Callers of mlx5_core_create_cq are responsible for changing the completion function and arming the CQ per their needs.
Title mlx5: Fix default values in create CQ
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2025-12-16T13:48:36.098Z

Reserved: 2025-12-16T13:41:40.255Z

Link: CVE-2025-68209

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2025-12-16T14:15:53.813

Modified: 2025-12-16T14:15:53.813

Link: CVE-2025-68209

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

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