published September 25, 2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf: Reject legacy packet loads from callbacks
check_ld_abs() models a failed BPF_LD_ABS or BPF_LD_IND in a
subprogram as an implicit return with R0 set to zero. It calls
prepare_func_exit() to explore this synthesized path.
When the load is reached directly from a synchronous callback,
prepare_func_exit() enforces the callback return contract and marks R0
precise. R0 is not derived from a real instruction on this path, so
precision backtracking reaches the callback call with R0 still requested
and triggers the "callback unexpected regs" verifier bug. A privileged
program loader can therefore cause a verifier warning and an -EFAULT
BPF_PROG_LOAD.
These legacy packet-load instructions are deprecated. Reject them from
callbacks rather than complicating their implicit-return model. Check all
active frames before constructing the implicit return so nested static
subprograms cannot hide the callback context.
Global functions are verified independently with a fresh frame zero, so
an active-frame check cannot identify a global function called from a
callback. Also check the complete subprogram call graph during stack-depth
validation and reject a function containing a legacy load when any caller
is a callback. This covers global and static descendants without making
has_ld_abs transitive, preserving its per-function BTF return-type check.
Ordinary uses outside callbacks remain supported.