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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-43462 Linux CVE debrief

CVE-2026-43462 is a Linux kernel vulnerability in the Spacemit network driver path. The published fix addresses error handling in emac_tx_mem_map(), where DMA mappings were not being freed when mapping failed. The issue was corrected by reusing the existing emac_free_tx_buf() cleanup path. NVD rates the issue HIGH with a 7.5 CVSS score, reflecting an availability impact.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-05-08
Original CVE updated
2026-05-20
Advisory published
2026-05-08
Advisory updated
2026-05-20

Who should care

Linux kernel maintainers, distro security teams, embedded/OEM vendors shipping kernels with the Spacemit Ethernet driver, and operators of systems running affected kernel versions should prioritize this advisory.

Technical summary

According to the CVE description and NVD record, the problem is a resource-handling bug in net/spacemit: emac_tx_mem_map() could leak DMA mappings when a mapping error occurred. The fix restores cleanup by calling the existing emac_free_tx_buf() function so failed mappings are released properly. NVD marks the vulnerability as analyzed and lists affected Linux kernel ranges including 6.18 through before 6.18.19, 6.19 through before 6.19.9, and early 7.0 release candidates (rc1 through rc3).

Defensive priority

High. This is a kernel-level availability issue with a published CVSS 3.1 vector of AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Systems using affected kernel builds should be updated or backported promptly, especially where the Spacemit driver is present.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the kernel update or vendor backport that includes the emac_tx_mem_map() cleanup fix.
  • Confirm whether deployed systems fall within the affected kernel ranges listed by NVD.
  • For downstream or embedded builds, verify that the fix was included in the vendor's backport set rather than relying only on upstream version numbers.
  • Prioritize systems that use the Spacemit Ethernet driver or related platform builds.
  • Track kernel package advisories from your distribution or device vendor for the corresponding patched release.

Evidence notes

All statements are based on the supplied CVE description, NVD record, and the referenced Linux kernel patch links. The CVE was published at 2026-05-08T15:16:59.080Z and modified at 2026-05-20T18:40:51.467Z. NVD lists the CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H and identifies the issue as NVD-CWE-noinfo. The supplied references point to kernel.org stable patch commits that resolve the error-handling defect.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-43462 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43462

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-43462 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43462

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Mitigation or vendor reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/86292155bea578ebab0ca3b65d4d87ecd8a0e9ea

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 - Patch

  • Mitigation or vendor reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c34ebd7b24ea70be3c6fdb6936f79f593f37df60

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 - Patch

  • Mitigation or vendor reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/edeaba385318f60ec1b32470da4d5eb800294d16

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 - Patch

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.