Executive brief
A vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel driver for Emulex be2net network interface cards. An error in how the driver handles MAC address identification can lead to a system crash (NULL pointer dereference). This could allow a local user to cause a denial-of-service condition, impacting the availability of the system and its network services.
Technical details
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the be2net Ethernet driver within the Linux kernel. The issue occurs in the be_cmd_get_mac_from_list() function when the pmac_id_valid parameter is false and the pmac_id pointer is NULL. Under these conditions, the driver attempts to store a PMAC_ID retrieved from the firmware into the NULL address. This flaw can be triggered locally, leading to a kernel panic and denial of service. The issue has been resolved by ensuring a valid stub variable address is passed instead of NULL. Patches are available in various stable kernel branches.
Affected products
- Linux Linux Kernel 95046b927a54 to 8215794403d264739cc676668087512950b2ff31
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.6
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.6
- Siemens SIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.6
Timeline
- 2026-01-20: disclosed: Initial patch submitted by Andrey Vatoropin
- 2026-01-30: patched: Patch committed to stable trees
- 2026-02-04: advisory: CVE published
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/31410a01a86bcb98c798d01061abf1f789c4f75a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/47ffb4dcffe336f4a7bd0f3284be7aadc6484698
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4cba480c9b9a3861a515262225cb53a1f5978344
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c3e00888dbec887125a08b51a705b9b163fcdd1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8215794403d264739cc676668087512950b2ff31
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/92c6dc181a18e6e0ddb872ed35cb48a9274829e4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e206fb415db36bad52bb90c08d46ce71ffbe8a80