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

eth: ice: don't dereference pointers from TP_printk()

After forwarding net-next during the v7.3 merge window we started
seeing:

TRACE EVENT ERROR: Event ice_tx_dim_work has double dereference in TP_printk: REC->q_vector->tx.tx_ring->q_index
WARNING: kernel/trace/trace_events.c:420 at test_double_dereference.cold+0x39/0x4b

this is due to extra checks added in tracing subsystem in
commit b5cc230af5e5 ("tracing: Warn when an event dereferences a pointer in TP_printk()").

Printing happens long after the event was recorded, by which point
the pointers may be invalid (the ring or the dim instance).
Copy the eight scalars into the event instead.
Published: 2026-09-25
Score: 5.5 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Kernel Crash (Denial of Service)
Action: Patch Immediately
AI Analysis

Impact

In the Linux kernel, the "ice_tx_dim_work" trace event in the Intel Ethernet "ice" driver records eight scalar values that reference internal ring and dimension structures. After the event is queued, the tracing subsystem later prints the event via TP_printk. Because the referenced pointers can become invalid before printing, the code dereferences a NULL or dangling pointer, resulting in a kernel panic. This is an instance of an invalid pointer dereference that causes a denial of service when the system crashes.

Affected Systems

The issue affects any Linux kernel that contains the upstream Intel "ice" Ethernet driver and the associated "ice_tx_dim_work" trace event. Kernels that have not incorporated the patch that copies the scalar values instead of pointer references are vulnerable. The advisory does not list specific version ranges, so any kernel built from sources prior to the fix is potentially impacted. The vendor is the Linux kernel project; no distribution‑specific version information is provided.

Risk and Exploitability

The vulnerability’s CVSS score is 5.5 and its EPSS score is less than 1%. It is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. Exploitation requires triggering the trace event, which can occur during normal operation of the driver or via crafted network traffic that activates the tracing path. The likely attack vector is inferred to be the internal operation of the network driver and potentially malicious traffic that causes the trace event. A successful trigger will crash the kernel, leading to a system reboot or lock‑up. While the EPSS indicates a very low probability of exploitation, the impact is moderate to high due to the crash. Administrators should treat the vulnerability as a moderate risk and patch promptly.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 1, 2026 at 06:30 UTC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the kernel patch that copies scalar values into the trace event, eliminating the dereference.
  • If an update cannot be performed immediately, rebuild or patch the kernel to disable the "ice_tx_dim_work" trace event or remove the TP_printk call from the "ice" driver.
  • As a temporary mitigation, unload or block the Intel "ice" driver so that the trace event cannot be triggered until the patch is applied.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 1, 2026 at 06:30 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4817-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6528-1 linux security update
History

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 13:15:00 +0000


Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-825
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: eth: ice: don't dereference pointers from TP_printk() After forwarding net-next during the v7.3 merge window we started seeing: TRACE EVENT ERROR: Event ice_tx_dim_work has double dereference in TP_printk: REC->q_vector->tx.tx_ring->q_index WARNING: kernel/trace/trace_events.c:420 at test_double_dereference.cold+0x39/0x4b this is due to extra checks added in tracing subsystem in commit b5cc230af5e5 ("tracing: Warn when an event dereferences a pointer in TP_printk()"). Printing happens long after the event was recorded, by which point the pointers may be invalid (the ring or the dim instance). Copy the eight scalars into the event instead.
Title eth: ice: don't dereference pointers from TP_printk()
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-21T12:53:56.446Z

Reserved: 2026-09-25T10:18:58.208Z

Link: CVE-2026-97978

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-25T11:17:25.790

Modified: 2026-10-21T13:21:18.243

Link: CVE-2026-97978

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-09-25T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-97978 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-01T06:45:02Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-825

    Expired Pointer Dereference