Linux Kernel igc Driver IGC_REMOVED Logic Reinstatement Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's igc driver has been addressed by reinstating and properly implementing the IGC_REMOVED logic, which was crucial for handling PCIe bus errors. The absence of this logic led to NULL pointer dereferences when a PCIe link flap occurred, causing various system errors. The vulnerability was present in the initial version of the igc driver code, where the IGC_REMOVED checks were omitted, allowing MMIO reads and writes to be performed blindly after a PCIe error.

Impact

The vulnerability could lead to NULL pointer dereferences, causing system crashes or unpredictable behavior when a PCIe link flap occurs on an affected igc adapter.