Linux: DMA-after-unmap race in ZCRX via netif_rxq_cleanup_unlease() ordering inversion (netkit + page_pool)

[Prénom? Ahmed <ahmedabdelmoumen05 () gmail com>]

Hello,

I would like to report a source-proven teardown ordering bug in the Linux
kernel that can lead to a DMA-after-unmap race condition involving ZCRX
(io_uring zero-copy receive), page_pool, and netkit queue leasing.

***Reporter:** Ahmed Abdelmoemen **Discovery Date:** 2026-05-26 **Kernel
Version:** Linux 7.1.0-rc3*

Executive Summary

*A logic error in `netif_rxq_cleanup_unlease()` causes DMA mappings for the
ZCRX memory provider to be revoked **before** the physical NIC RX queue is
stopped. This creates a race window during netkit queue lease teardown
where the physical device's NAPI can consume stale `net_iov` entries from
the page_pool alloc cache containing `dma_addr = 0`.*

The ordering inversion is fully proven at the source level. However, I have
**not** performed runtime verification, so actual memory corruption or
successful DMA to address 0 has **not** been proven — it remains hardware
and driver dependent.

The bug is reachable with `CAP_NET_ADMIN` (common in container
environments) when using netkit with ZCRX.

Root Cause

In `net/core/netdev_rx_queue.c:347-348`:

```c __netif_mp_uninstall_rxq(virt_rxq, p); // DMA unmap + dma_addr=0
__netif_mp_close_rxq(...); // queue stop + NAPI disable (TOO LATE)

This inverts the correct ordering used in normal device unregistration and
io_uring close paths (stop first, then unmap).
Impact

   - *Potential:* NIC DMA write to physical address 0 (or stale mappings
   with lazy IOMMU) leading to memory corruption.
   - *Requirements:* CAP_NET_ADMIN + netkit queue leasing + ZCRX installed
   on the leased queue.
   - *Current Status:* No runtime PoC or crash reproduction yet. The race
   window exists in theory but its practical exploitability needs confirmation.

I am attaching the full detailed analysis.
Proposed Fix[image: image.png]

I am happy to provide more details or assist with testing.

Best regards, Ahmed Abdelmoemen ahmedabdelmoumen05 () gmail com

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