IV85460: MALFORMED NETWORK PACKETS CAN CAUSE SYSTEM CRASH APPLIES TO AIX 6100-09

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• **************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:
  * Systems running the AIX 6100-09 Technology Level
  * or VIOS 2.2.3.x or VIOS 2.2.4.x with
  * devices.ethernet.shi.rte between and including the
  * 6.1.9.101 and 6.1.9.103 levels,
  * devices.ethernet.mlx.rte between and including the
  * 6.1.9.100 and 6.1.9.102 levels, or
  * devices.ethernet.lnc2.rte between and including the
  * 6.1.9.45 and 6.1.9.200 levels.
  **************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
  * Malformed network packets sent through some adapter
  * device drivers (shientdd, mlxentdd, lnc2entdd) can cause
  * a system crash.
  *
  * The crash is due to mishandling of a lock in the
  * error path dealing with the bad packet and will
  * show a stack with abend_trap() called from clock().
  **************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:
  * Install APAR IV85460.
  * Prior to fix availability, an interim fix is available from
  * either
  * ftp://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/ifixes/iv85460/
  * https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/ifixes/iv85460/
  * Installation of the ifix requires a reboot.
  **************************************************************
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• **************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:
  * Systems running the AIX 6100-09 Technology Level
  * or VIOS 2.2.3.x or VIOS 2.2.4.x with
  * devices.ethernet.shi.rte between and including the
  * 6.1.9.101 and 6.1.9.103 levels,
  * devices.ethernet.mlx.rte between and including the
  * 6.1.9.100 and 6.1.9.102 levels, or
  * devices.ethernet.lnc2.rte between and including the
  * 6.1.9.45 and 6.1.9.200 levels.
  **************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
  * Malformed network packets sent through some adapter
  * device drivers (shientdd, mlxentdd, lnc2entdd) can cause
  * a system crash.
  *
  * The crash is due to mishandling of a lock in the
  * error path dealing with the bad packet and will
  * show a stack with abend_trap() called from clock().
  **************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:
  * Install APAR IV85460.
  * Prior to fix availability, an interim fix is available from
  * either
  * ftp://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/ifixes/iv85460/
  * https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/ifixes/iv85460/
  * Installation of the ifix requires a reboot.
  **************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• Move the unlock part into the same block which takes the lock.
  

Temporary fix

•   *********
    * HIPER *
    *********
  

Comments

• 6100-09 - use AIX APAR IV85460
  7100-04 - use AIX APAR IV86787
  7200-01 - use AIX APAR IV86751
  

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

  IV86751 IV86787 IV86885 IV86911 IV88136 IV88430

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  VIRTUAL I/O SER

• Fixed component ID

  5765G3400

Applicable component levels