CVE-2025-38114: e1000: Move cancel_work_sync to avoid deadlock

Severity: medium (CVSS 5.5 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.1% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2025-07-03 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-667

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: e1000: Move cancel_work_sync to avoid deadlock Previously, e1000_down called cancel_work_sync for the e1000 reset task (via e1000_down_and_stop), which takes RTNL. As reported by users and syzbot, a deadlock is possible in the following scenario: CPU 0: - RTNL is held - e1000_close - e1000_down - cancel_work_sync (cancel / wait for e1000_reset_task()) CPU 1: - process_one_work - e1000_reset_task - take RTNL To remedy this, avoid calling cancel_work_sync from e1000_down (e1000_reset_task does nothing if the device is down anyway). Instead, call cancel_work_sync for e1000_reset_task when the device is being removed.

Affected products

Linux kernel: from 6.13 before 6.15.3; 6.16-rc1 — fixed in 6.15.3

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Linux kernel 6.15.3. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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