Add reference counting to packet buffers.

PiperOrigin-RevId: 408426639

34 files changed, 177 insertions, 44 deletions

diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/BUILD b/pkg/tcpip/BUILD
index 7a159d5c8..b0c059bf1 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/BUILD
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ deps_test(
         "//pkg/state/wire",
         "//pkg/sync",
         "//pkg/waiter",
+        "//pkg/refsvfs2",
+        "//pkg/refs",
         "//pkg/syserr",
         "//pkg/abi/linux/errno",
         "//pkg/errors",
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/channel/channel.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/channel/channel.go
index 658557d62..270fa8c79 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/channel/channel.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/channel/channel.go
@@ -81,6 +81,18 @@ func (q *queue) ReadContext(ctx context.Context) (PacketInfo, bool) {
 }
 
 func (q *queue) Write(p PacketInfo) bool {
+	// q holds the PacketBuffer.
+
+	// Ideally, Write() should take a reference here, since it is adding
+	// the underlying PacketBuffer to the channel. However, in practice,
+	// calls to Read() are not necessarily symetric with calls
+	// to Write() (e.g writing to this endpoint and then exiting). This
+	// causes tests and analyzers to detect erroneous "leaks" for expected
+	// behavior. To prevent this, we allow the refcount to go to zero, and
+	// make a call to  PreserveObject(), which prevents the PacketBuffer
+	// pooling implementation from reclaiming this instance, even when
+	// the refcount goes to zero.
+	p.Pkt.PreserveObject()
 	wrote := false
 	select {
 	case q.c <- p:
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/mmap.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/mmap.go
index 3f516cab5..47047578d 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/mmap.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/mmap.go
@@ -194,6 +194,7 @@ func (d *packetMMapDispatcher) dispatch() (bool, tcpip.Error) {
 	pbuf := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: buffer.View(pkt).ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pbuf.DecRef()
 	if d.e.hdrSize > 0 {
 		if _, ok := pbuf.LinkHeader().Consume(d.e.hdrSize); !ok {
 			panic(fmt.Sprintf("LinkHeader().Consume(%d) must succeed", d.e.hdrSize))
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/packet_dispatchers.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/packet_dispatchers.go
index fab34c5fa..c22bba3b5 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/packet_dispatchers.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/fdbased/packet_dispatchers.go
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ func (d *readVDispatcher) dispatch() (bool, tcpip.Error) {
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: d.buf.pullViews(n),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	var (
 		p             tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber
@@ -289,6 +290,7 @@ func (d *recvMMsgDispatcher) dispatch() (bool, tcpip.Error) {
 		pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 			Data: d.bufs[k].pullViews(n),
 		})
+		defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 		// Mark that this iovec has been processed.
 		d.msgHdrs[k].Msg.Iovlen = 0
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/loopback/loopback.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/loopback/loopback.go
index ca1f9c08d..49b0a29a9 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/loopback/loopback.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/loopback/loopback.go
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) WriteRawPacket(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error {
 	newPkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: data,
 	})
+	defer newPkt.DecRef()
 	e.dispatcher.DeliverNetworkPacket("" /* remote */, "" /* local */, pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber, newPkt)
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/pipe/pipe.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/pipe/pipe.go
index c67ca98ea..c2a888054 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/pipe/pipe.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/pipe/pipe.go
@@ -59,9 +59,11 @@ func (e *Endpoint) deliverPackets(r stack.RouteInfo, proto tcpip.NetworkProtocol
 	// avoid a deadlock when a packet triggers a response which leads the stack to
 	// try and take a lock it already holds.
 	for pkt := pkts.Front(); pkt != nil; pkt = pkt.Next() {
-		e.linked.dispatcher.DeliverNetworkPacket(r.LocalLinkAddress /* remote */, r.RemoteLinkAddress /* local */, proto, stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
+		newPkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 			Data: buffer.NewVectorisedView(pkt.Size(), pkt.Views()),
-		}))
+		})
+		e.linked.dispatcher.DeliverNetworkPacket(r.LocalLinkAddress /* remote */, r.RemoteLinkAddress /* local */, proto, newPkt)
+		newPkt.DecRef()
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/endpoint.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/endpoint.go
index c15cbf81b..a68b274b2 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/endpoint.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/endpoint.go
@@ -94,9 +94,7 @@ func (q *queueDispatcher) dispatchLoop() {
 			// We pass a protocol of zero here because each packet carries its
 			// NetworkProtocol.
 			q.lower.WritePackets(stack.RouteInfo{}, batch, 0 /* protocol */)
-			for pkt := batch.Front(); pkt != nil; pkt = pkt.Next() {
-				batch.Remove(pkt)
-			}
+			batch.DecRef()
 			batch.Reset()
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/packet_buffer_queue.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/packet_buffer_queue.go
index eb5abb906..09e5b8314 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/packet_buffer_queue.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/qdisc/fifo/packet_buffer_queue.go
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ func (q *packetBufferQueue) setLimit(limit int) {
 // enqueue adds the given packet to the queue.
 //
 // Returns true when the PacketBuffer is successfully added to the queue, in
-// which case ownership of the reference is transferred to the queue. And
-// returns false if the queue is full, in which case ownership is retained by
-// the caller.
+// which case the queue acquires a reference to the PacketBuffer, and
+// returns false if the queue is full.
 func (q *packetBufferQueue) enqueue(s *stack.PacketBuffer) bool {
 	q.mu.Lock()
 	r := q.used < q.limit
 	if r {
+		s.IncRef()
 		q.list.PushBack(s)
 		q.used++
 	}
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func (q *packetBufferQueue) enqueue(s *stack.PacketBuffer) bool {
 }
 
 // dequeue removes and returns the next PacketBuffer from queue, if one exists.
-// Ownership is transferred to the caller.
+// Caller is responsible for calling DecRef on the PacketBuffer.
 func (q *packetBufferQueue) dequeue() *stack.PacketBuffer {
 	q.mu.Lock()
 	s := q.list.Front()
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem.go
index b75522a51..8797d1bb9 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem.go
@@ -413,6 +413,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) dispatchLoop(d stack.NetworkDispatcher) {
 		pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 			Data: buffer.View(b).ToVectorisedView(),
 		})
+		defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 		var src, dst tcpip.LinkAddress
 		var proto tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem_server.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem_server.go
index c39eca33f..00c8a6a3b 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem_server.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/sharedmem/sharedmem_server.go
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@ func (e *serverEndpoint) dispatchLoop(d stack.NetworkDispatcher) {
 		if e.addr != "" {
 			hdr, ok := pkt.LinkHeader().Consume(header.EthernetMinimumSize)
 			if !ok {
+				pkt.DecRef()
 				continue
 			}
 			eth := header.Ethernet(hdr)
@@ -323,6 +324,7 @@ func (e *serverEndpoint) dispatchLoop(d stack.NetworkDispatcher) {
 			// IP version information is at the first octet, so pulling up 1 byte.
 			h, ok := pkt.Data().PullUp(1)
 			if !ok {
+				pkt.DecRef()
 				continue
 			}
 			switch header.IPVersion(h) {
@@ -331,11 +333,13 @@ func (e *serverEndpoint) dispatchLoop(d stack.NetworkDispatcher) {
 			case header.IPv6Version:
 				proto = header.IPv6ProtocolNumber
 			default:
+				pkt.DecRef()
 				continue
 			}
 		}
 		// Send packet up the stack.
 		d.DeliverNetworkPacket(src, dst, proto, pkt)
+		pkt.DecRef()
 	}
 
 	e.mu.Lock()
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/sniffer/sniffer.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/sniffer/sniffer.go
index 2afa95af0..965cc994f 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/sniffer/sniffer.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/sniffer/sniffer.go
@@ -209,6 +209,7 @@ func logPacket(prefix string, dir direction, protocol tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumbe
 	vv := buffer.NewVectorisedView(pkt.Size(), pkt.Views())
 	vv.TrimFront(len(pkt.LinkHeader().View()))
 	pkt = stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{Data: vv})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	switch protocol {
 	case header.IPv4ProtocolNumber:
 		if ok := parse.IPv4(pkt); !ok {
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go
index fa2131c28..5230ac281 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ func (d *Device) Release(ctx context.Context) {
 
 	// Decrease refcount if there is an endpoint associated with this file.
 	if d.endpoint != nil {
+		d.endpoint.Drain()
 		d.endpoint.RemoveNotify(d.notifyHandle)
 		d.endpoint.DecRef(ctx)
 		d.endpoint = nil
@@ -231,6 +232,7 @@ func (d *Device) Write(data []byte) (int64, error) {
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: len(ethHdr),
 		Data:               buffer.View(data).ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	copy(pkt.LinkHeader().Push(len(ethHdr)), ethHdr)
 	endpoint.InjectLinkAddr(protocol, remote, pkt)
 	return dataLen, nil
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go
index e08243547..8e6be7e26 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) HandlePacket(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) {
 		respPkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 			ReserveHeaderBytes: int(e.nic.MaxHeaderLength()) + header.ARPSize,
 		})
+		defer respPkt.DecRef()
 		packet := header.ARP(respPkt.NetworkHeader().Push(header.ARPSize))
 		respPkt.NetworkProtocolNumber = ProtocolNumber
 		packet.SetIPv4OverEthernet()
@@ -339,6 +340,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) sendARPRequest(localAddr, targetAddr tcpip.Address, remoteLin
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(e.MaxHeaderLength()),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	h := header.ARP(pkt.NetworkHeader().Push(header.ARPSize))
 	pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber = ProtocolNumber
 	h.SetIPv4OverEthernet()
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/internal/fragmentation/reassembler.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/internal/fragmentation/reassembler.go
index 5b7e4b361..ff6be8f0d 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/internal/fragmentation/reassembler.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/internal/fragmentation/reassembler.go
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ func (r *reassembler) process(first, last uint16, more bool, proto uint8, pkt *s
 			r.proto = proto
 		}
 
+		pkt.IncRef()
 		break
 	}
 	if !holeFound {
@@ -166,6 +167,7 @@ func (r *reassembler) process(first, last uint16, more bool, proto uint8, pkt *s
 	})
 
 	resPkt := r.holes[0].pkt
+	resPkt.DecRef()
 	for i := 1; i < len(r.holes); i++ {
 		stack.MergeFragment(resPkt, r.holes[i].pkt)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/icmp.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/icmp.go
index 59acbad02..33a1b837e 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/icmp.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/icmp.go
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) handleICMP(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) {
 	case header.ICMPv4Echo:
 		received.echoRequest.Increment()
 
-		// DeliverTransportPacket will take ownership of pkt so don't use it beyond
+		// DeliverTransportPacket may modify pkt so don't use it beyond
 		// this point. Make a deep copy of the data before pkt gets sent as we will
 		// be modifying fields. Both the ICMP header (with its type modified to
 		// EchoReply) and payload are reused in the reply packet.
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) handleICMP(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) {
 			ReserveHeaderBytes: int(r.MaxHeaderLength()),
 			Data:               replyVV,
 		})
+		defer replyPkt.DecRef()
 		replyPkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv4ProtocolNumber
 
 		if err := r.WriteHeaderIncludedPacket(replyPkt); err != nil {
@@ -667,6 +668,7 @@ func (p *protocol) returnError(reason icmpReason, pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) tcpip
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(route.MaxHeaderLength()) + header.ICMPv4MinimumSize,
 		Data:               payload,
 	})
+	defer icmpPkt.DecRef()
 
 	icmpPkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv4ProtocolNumber
 
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/igmp.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/igmp.go
index 3ce499298..d9cc4574e 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/igmp.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/igmp.go
@@ -322,6 +322,7 @@ func (igmp *igmpState) writePacket(destAddress tcpip.Address, groupAddress tcpip
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(igmp.ep.MaxHeaderLength()),
 		Data:               buffer.View(igmpData).ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	addressEndpoint := igmp.ep.acquireOutgoingPrimaryAddressRLocked(destAddress, false /* allowExpired */)
 	if addressEndpoint == nil {
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4.go
index d1d509702..e55f5eea6 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4.go
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) HandleLinkResolutionFailure(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) {
 	pkt = stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: buffer.NewVectorisedView(pkt.Size(), pkt.Views()),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.NICID = e.nic.ID()
 	pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber = ProtocolNumber
 	// Use the same control type as an ICMPv4 destination host unreachable error
@@ -534,6 +535,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) WritePackets(r *stack.Route, pkts stack.PacketBufferList, par
 			// removed once the fragmentation is done.
 			originalPkt := pkt
 			if _, _, err := e.handleFragments(r, networkMTU, pkt, func(fragPkt *stack.PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error {
+				fragPkt.IncRef()
 				// Modify the packet list in place with the new fragments.
 				pkts.InsertAfter(pkt, fragPkt)
 				pkt = fragPkt
@@ -751,10 +753,11 @@ func (e *endpoint) forwardPacket(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) ip.ForwardingError {
 	}
 
 	// We need to do a deep copy of the IP packet because
-	// WriteHeaderIncludedPacket takes ownership of the packet buffer, but we do
+	// WriteHeaderIncludedPacket may modify the packet buffer, but we do
 	// not own it.
 	newPkt := pkt.DeepCopyForForwarding(int(r.MaxHeaderLength()))
 	newHdr := header.IPv4(newPkt.NetworkHeader().View())
+	defer newPkt.DecRef()
 
 	// As per RFC 791 page 30, Time to Live,
 	//
@@ -859,6 +862,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) handleLocalPacket(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer, canSkipRXChecksum
 	stats.PacketsReceived.Increment()
 
 	pkt = pkt.CloneToInbound()
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.RXTransportChecksumValidated = canSkipRXChecksum
 
 	h, ok := e.protocol.parseAndValidate(pkt)
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp.go
index adfc8d8da..402c4c8a8 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp.go
@@ -525,6 +525,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) handleICMP(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer, hasFragmentHeader bool, r
 		pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 			ReserveHeaderBytes: int(r.MaxHeaderLength()) + neighborAdvertSize,
 		})
+		defer pkt.DecRef()
 		pkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv6ProtocolNumber
 		packet := header.ICMPv6(pkt.TransportHeader().Push(neighborAdvertSize))
 		packet.SetType(header.ICMPv6NeighborAdvert)
@@ -675,6 +676,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) handleICMP(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer, hasFragmentHeader bool, r
 			ReserveHeaderBytes: int(r.MaxHeaderLength()) + header.ICMPv6EchoMinimumSize,
 			Data:               pkt.Data().ExtractVV(),
 		})
+		defer replyPkt.DecRef()
 		icmp := header.ICMPv6(replyPkt.TransportHeader().Push(header.ICMPv6EchoMinimumSize))
 		pkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv6ProtocolNumber
 		copy(icmp, h)
@@ -1213,6 +1215,7 @@ func (p *protocol) returnError(reason icmpReason, pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) tcpip
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(route.MaxHeaderLength()) + header.ICMPv6ErrorHeaderSize,
 		Data:               payload,
 	})
+	defer newPkt.DecRef()
 	newPkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv6ProtocolNumber
 
 	icmpHdr := header.ICMPv6(newPkt.TransportHeader().Push(header.ICMPv6DstUnreachableMinimumSize))
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ipv6.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ipv6.go
index 7d3e1fd53..0c8ff6fb9 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ipv6.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ipv6.go
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) HandleLinkResolutionFailure(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) {
 	pkt = stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: buffer.NewVectorisedView(pkt.Size(), pkt.Views()),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.NICID = e.nic.ID()
 	pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber = ProtocolNumber
 	e.handleControl(&icmpv6DestinationAddressUnreachableSockError{}, pkt)
@@ -855,6 +856,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) WritePackets(r *stack.Route, pkts stack.PacketBufferList, par
 			// removed once the fragmentation is done.
 			originalPkt := pb
 			if _, _, err := e.handleFragments(r, networkMTU, pb, params.Protocol, func(fragPkt *stack.PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error {
+				fragPkt.IncRef()
 				// Modify the packet list in place with the new fragments.
 				pkts.InsertAfter(pb, fragPkt)
 				pb = fragPkt
@@ -1025,6 +1027,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) forwardPacket(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) ip.ForwardingError {
 	// WriteHeaderIncludedPacket takes ownership of the packet buffer, but we do
 	// not own it.
 	newPkt := pkt.DeepCopyForForwarding(int(r.MaxHeaderLength()))
+	defer newPkt.DecRef()
 	newHdr := header.IPv6(newPkt.NetworkHeader().View())
 
 	// As per RFC 8200 section 3,
@@ -1118,6 +1121,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) handleLocalPacket(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer, canSkipRXChecksum
 	stats.PacketsReceived.Increment()
 
 	pkt = pkt.CloneToInbound()
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.RXTransportChecksumValidated = canSkipRXChecksum
 
 	h, ok := e.protocol.parseAndValidate(pkt)
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/mld.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/mld.go
index bc1af193c..06a8e1b89 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/mld.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/mld.go
@@ -270,6 +270,7 @@ func (mld *mldState) writePacket(destAddress, groupAddress tcpip.Address, mldTyp
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(mld.ep.MaxHeaderLength()) + extensionHeaders.Length(),
 		Data:               buffer.View(icmp).ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	if err := addIPHeader(localAddress, destAddress, pkt, stack.NetworkHeaderParams{
 		Protocol: header.ICMPv6ProtocolNumber,
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp.go
index 938427420..bebf72421 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp.go
@@ -1807,6 +1807,7 @@ func (ndp *ndpState) startSolicitingRouters() {
 				ReserveHeaderBytes: int(ndp.ep.MaxHeaderLength()),
 				Data:               buffer.View(icmpData).ToVectorisedView(),
 			})
+			defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 			sent := ndp.ep.stats.icmp.packetsSent
 			if err := addIPHeader(localAddr, header.IPv6AllRoutersLinkLocalMulticastAddress, pkt, stack.NetworkHeaderParams{
@@ -1924,6 +1925,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) sendNDPNS(srcAddr, dstAddr, targetAddr tcpip.Address, remoteL
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(e.MaxHeaderLength()),
 		Data:               buffer.View(icmp).ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	if err := addIPHeader(srcAddr, dstAddr, pkt, stack.NetworkHeaderParams{
 		Protocol: header.ICMPv6ProtocolNumber,
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/BUILD b/pkg/tcpip/stack/BUILD
index 5d76adac1..81eed5b11 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/BUILD
@@ -39,6 +39,17 @@ go_template_instance(
     },
 )
 
+go_template_instance(
+    name = "packet_buffer_refs",
+    out = "packet_buffer_refs.go",
+    package = "stack",
+    prefix = "packetBuffer",
+    template = "//pkg/refsvfs2:refs_template",
+    types = {
+        "T": "PacketBuffer",
+    },
+)
+
 go_library(
     name = "stack",
     srcs = [
@@ -59,6 +70,7 @@ go_library(
         "nud.go",
         "packet_buffer.go",
         "packet_buffer_list.go",
+        "packet_buffer_refs.go",
         "packet_buffer_unsafe.go",
         "pending_packets.go",
         "rand.go",
@@ -78,6 +90,7 @@ go_library(
         "//pkg/ilist",
         "//pkg/log",
         "//pkg/rand",
+        "//pkg/refsvfs2",
         "//pkg/sleep",
         "//pkg/sync",
         "//pkg/tcpip",
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go
index b9b5c35c8..7cfb836ca 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ func (n *nic) WritePacketToRemote(remoteLinkAddr tcpip.LinkAddress, protocol tcp
 }
 
 func (n *nic) writePacket(r RouteInfo, protocol tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, pkt *PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error {
-	// WritePacket takes ownership of pkt, calculate numBytes first.
+	// WritePacket modifies pkt, calculate numBytes first.
 	numBytes := pkt.Size()
 
 	pkt.EgressRoute = r
@@ -754,6 +754,7 @@ func (n *nic) DeliverNetworkPacket(remote, local tcpip.LinkAddress, protocol tcp
 			packetEPPkt = NewPacketBuffer(PacketBufferOptions{
 				Data: PayloadSince(pkt.LinkHeader()).ToVectorisedView(),
 			})
+			defer packetEPPkt.DecRef()
 			// If a link header was populated in the original packet buffer, then
 			// populate it in the packet buffer we provide to packet endpoints as
 			// packet endpoints inspect link headers.
@@ -761,7 +762,9 @@ func (n *nic) DeliverNetworkPacket(remote, local tcpip.LinkAddress, protocol tcp
 			packetEPPkt.PktType = tcpip.PacketHost
 		}
 
-		ep.HandlePacket(n.id, local, protocol, packetEPPkt.Clone())
+		clone := packetEPPkt.Clone()
+		defer clone.DecRef()
+		ep.HandlePacket(n.id, local, protocol, clone)
 	}
 
 	n.packetEPs.mu.Lock()
@@ -811,14 +814,16 @@ func (n *nic) deliverOutboundPacket(remote tcpip.LinkAddress, pkt *PacketBuffer)
 				ReserveHeaderBytes: pkt.AvailableHeaderBytes(),
 				Data:               PayloadSince(pkt.NetworkHeader()).ToVectorisedView(),
 			})
+			defer packetEPPkt.DecRef()
 			// Add the link layer header as outgoing packets are intercepted before
 			// the link layer header is created and packet endpoints are interested
 			// in the link header.
 			n.LinkEndpoint.AddHeader(local, remote, pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber, packetEPPkt)
 			packetEPPkt.PktType = tcpip.PacketOutgoing
 		}
-
-		ep.HandlePacket(n.id, local, pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber, packetEPPkt.Clone())
+		clone := packetEPPkt.Clone()
+		defer clone.DecRef()
+		ep.HandlePacket(n.id, local, pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber, clone)
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/packet_buffer.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/packet_buffer.go
index c4a4bbd22..2016f7b19 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/packet_buffer.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/packet_buffer.go
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ type PacketBufferOptions struct {
 type PacketBuffer struct {
 	_ sync.NoCopy
 
+	packetBufferRefs
+
 	// PacketBufferEntry is used to build an intrusive list of
 	// PacketBuffers.
 	PacketBufferEntry
@@ -149,6 +151,8 @@ type PacketBuffer struct {
 	NetworkPacketInfo NetworkPacketInfo
 
 	tuple *tuple
+
+	preserveObject bool
 }
 
 // NewPacketBuffer creates a new PacketBuffer with opts.
@@ -166,9 +170,21 @@ func NewPacketBuffer(opts PacketBufferOptions) *PacketBuffer {
 	if opts.IsForwardedPacket {
 		pk.NetworkPacketInfo.IsForwardedPacket = opts.IsForwardedPacket
 	}
+	pk.InitRefs()
 	return pk
 }
 
+// DecRef overrides refsvfs2 DecRef and passes a nil destroy function.
+func (pk *PacketBuffer) DecRef() {
+	pk.packetBufferRefs.DecRef(nil)
+}
+
+// PreserveObject marks this PacketBuffer so it is not recycled by internal
+// pooling.
+func (pk *PacketBuffer) PreserveObject() {
+	pk.preserveObject = true
+}
+
 // ReservedHeaderBytes returns the number of bytes initially reserved for
 // headers.
 func (pk *PacketBuffer) ReservedHeaderBytes() int {
@@ -291,7 +307,7 @@ func (pk *PacketBuffer) headerView(typ headerType) tcpipbuffer.View {
 // Clone makes a semi-deep copy of pk. The underlying packet payload is
 // shared. Hence, no modifications is done to underlying packet payload.
 func (pk *PacketBuffer) Clone() *PacketBuffer {
-	return &PacketBuffer{
+	newPk := &PacketBuffer{
 		PacketBufferEntry:            pk.PacketBufferEntry,
 		buf:                          pk.buf.Clone(),
 		reserved:                     pk.reserved,
@@ -311,6 +327,8 @@ func (pk *PacketBuffer) Clone() *PacketBuffer {
 		NetworkPacketInfo:            pk.NetworkPacketInfo,
 		tuple:                        pk.tuple,
 	}
+	newPk.InitRefs()
+	return newPk
 }
 
 // Network returns the network header as a header.Network.
@@ -339,6 +357,7 @@ func (pk *PacketBuffer) CloneToInbound() *PacketBuffer {
 		reserved: pk.AvailableHeaderBytes(),
 		tuple:    pk.tuple,
 	}
+	newPk.InitRefs()
 	return newPk
 }
 
@@ -375,6 +394,22 @@ func (pk *PacketBuffer) DeepCopyForForwarding(reservedHeaderBytes int) *PacketBu
 	return newPk
 }
 
+// IncRef increases the reference count on each PacketBuffer
+// stored in the PacketBufferList.
+func (pk *PacketBufferList) IncRef() {
+	for pb := pk.Front(); pb != nil; pb = pb.Next() {
+		pb.IncRef()
+	}
+}
+
+// DecRef decreases the reference count on each PacketBuffer
+// stored in the PacketBufferList.
+func (pk *PacketBufferList) DecRef() {
+	for pb := pk.Front(); pb != nil; pb = pb.Next() {
+		pb.DecRef()
+	}
+}
+
 // headerInfo stores metadata about a header in a packet.
 type headerInfo struct {
 	// offset is the offset of the header in pk.buf relative to
@@ -460,7 +495,7 @@ func (d PacketData) AppendView(v tcpipbuffer.View) {
 	d.pk.buf.AppendOwned(v)
 }
 
-// MergeFragment appends the data portion of frag to dst. It takes ownership of
+// MergeFragment appends the data portion of frag to dst. It modifies
 // frag and frag should not be used again.
 func MergeFragment(dst, frag *PacketBuffer) {
 	frag.buf.TrimFront(int64(frag.dataOffset()))
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/pending_packets.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/pending_packets.go
index 13e8907ec..7e18d4bc4 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/pending_packets.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/pending_packets.go
@@ -152,6 +152,12 @@ func (f *packetsPendingLinkResolution) enqueue(r *Route, proto tcpip.NetworkProt
 		proto:     proto,
 		pkt:       pkt,
 	})
+	switch pkt := pkt.(type) {
+	case *PacketBuffer:
+		pkt.IncRef()
+	case *PacketBufferList:
+		pkt.IncRef()
+	}
 
 	if len(packets) > maxPendingPacketsPerResolution {
 		f.incrementOutgoingPacketErrors(packets[0].proto, packets[0].pkt)
@@ -226,5 +232,11 @@ func (f *packetsPendingLinkResolution) dequeuePackets(packets []pendingPacket, l
 				}
 			}
 		}
+		switch pkt := p.pkt.(type) {
+		case *PacketBuffer:
+			pkt.DecRef()
+		case *PacketBufferList:
+			pkt.DecRef()
+		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go
index 31b3a554d..5db9ad1b1 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go
@@ -102,12 +102,12 @@ type TransportEndpoint interface {
 	// HandlePacket is called by the stack when new packets arrive to this
 	// transport endpoint. It sets the packet buffer's transport header.
 	//
-	// HandlePacket takes ownership of the packet.
+	// HandlePacket may modify the packet.
 	HandlePacket(TransportEndpointID, *PacketBuffer)
 
 	// HandleError is called when the transport endpoint receives an error.
 	//
-	// HandleError takes ownership of the packet buffer.
+	// HandleError takes may modify the packet buffer.
 	HandleError(TransportError, *PacketBuffer)
 
 	// Abort initiates an expedited endpoint teardown. It puts the endpoint
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ type RawTransportEndpoint interface {
 	// this transport endpoint. The packet contains all data from the link
 	// layer up.
 	//
-	// HandlePacket takes ownership of the packet.
+	// HandlePacket may modify the packet.
 	HandlePacket(*PacketBuffer)
 }
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ type PacketEndpoint interface {
 	// linkHeader may have a length of 0, in which case the PacketEndpoint
 	// should construct its own ethernet header for applications.
 	//
-	// HandlePacket takes ownership of pkt.
+	// HandlePacket may modify pkt.
 	HandlePacket(nicID tcpip.NICID, addr tcpip.LinkAddress, netProto tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, pkt *PacketBuffer)
 }
 
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ type TransportProtocol interface {
 	// protocol that don't match any existing endpoint. For example,
 	// it is targeted at a port that has no listeners.
 	//
-	// HandleUnknownDestinationPacket takes ownership of the packet if it handles
+	// HandleUnknownDestinationPacket may modify the packet if it handles
 	// the issue.
 	HandleUnknownDestinationPacket(TransportEndpointID, *PacketBuffer) UnknownDestinationPacketDisposition
 
@@ -257,13 +257,13 @@ type TransportDispatcher interface {
 	//
 	// pkt.NetworkHeader must be set before calling DeliverTransportPacket.
 	//
-	// DeliverTransportPacket takes ownership of the packet.
+	// DeliverTransportPacket may modify the packet.
 	DeliverTransportPacket(tcpip.TransportProtocolNumber, *PacketBuffer) TransportPacketDisposition
 
 	// DeliverTransportError delivers an error to the appropriate transport
 	// endpoint.
 	//
-	// DeliverTransportError takes ownership of the packet buffer.
+	// DeliverTransportError may modify the packet buffer.
 	DeliverTransportError(local, remote tcpip.Address, _ tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, _ tcpip.TransportProtocolNumber, _ TransportError, _ *PacketBuffer)
 
 	// DeliverRawPacket delivers a packet to any subscribed raw sockets.
@@ -570,14 +570,14 @@ type NetworkInterface interface {
 	// WritePacket writes a packet with the given protocol through the given
 	// route.
 	//
-	// WritePacket takes ownership of the packet buffer. The packet buffer's
+	// WritePacket may modify the packet buffer. The packet buffer's
 	// network and transport header must be set.
 	WritePacket(*Route, tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, *PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error
 
 	// WritePackets writes packets with the given protocol through the given
 	// route. Must not be called with an empty list of packet buffers.
 	//
-	// WritePackets takes ownership of the packet buffers.
+	// WritePackets may modify the packet buffers.
 	//
 	// Right now, WritePackets is used only when the software segmentation
 	// offload is enabled. If it will be used for something else, syscall filters
@@ -636,23 +636,23 @@ type NetworkEndpoint interface {
 	MaxHeaderLength() uint16
 
 	// WritePacket writes a packet to the given destination address and
-	// protocol. It takes ownership of pkt. pkt.TransportHeader must have
+	// protocol. It may modify pkt. pkt.TransportHeader must have
 	// already been set.
 	WritePacket(r *Route, params NetworkHeaderParams, pkt *PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error
 
 	// WritePackets writes packets to the given destination address and
-	// protocol. pkts must not be zero length. It takes ownership of pkts and
+	// protocol. pkts must not be zero length. It may modify pkts and
 	// underlying packets.
 	WritePackets(r *Route, pkts PacketBufferList, params NetworkHeaderParams) (int, tcpip.Error)
 
 	// WriteHeaderIncludedPacket writes a packet that includes a network
-	// header to the given destination address. It takes ownership of pkt.
+	// header to the given destination address. It may modify pkt.
 	WriteHeaderIncludedPacket(r *Route, pkt *PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error
 
 	// HandlePacket is called by the link layer when new packets arrive to
 	// this network endpoint. It sets pkt.NetworkHeader.
 	//
-	// HandlePacket takes ownership of pkt.
+	// HandlePacket may modify pkt.
 	HandlePacket(pkt *PacketBuffer)
 
 	// Close is called when the endpoint is removed from a stack.
@@ -748,7 +748,7 @@ type NetworkDispatcher interface {
 	// DeliverNetworkPacket. Some packets do not have link headers (e.g.
 	// packets sent via loopback), and won't have the field set.
 	//
-	// DeliverNetworkPacket takes ownership of pkt.
+	// DeliverNetworkPacket may modify pkt.
 	DeliverNetworkPacket(remote, local tcpip.LinkAddress, protocol tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, pkt *PacketBuffer)
 }
 
@@ -836,7 +836,7 @@ type LinkEndpoint interface {
 
 	// WritePacket writes a packet with the given protocol and route.
 	//
-	// WritePacket takes ownership of the packet buffer. The packet buffer's
+	// WritePacket may modify the packet buffer. The packet buffer's
 	// network and transport header must be set.
 	//
 	// To participate in transparent bridging, a LinkEndpoint implementation
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ type LinkEndpoint interface {
 	// WritePackets writes packets with the given protocol and route. Must not be
 	// called with an empty list of packet buffers.
 	//
-	// WritePackets takes ownership of the packet buffers.
+	// WritePackets may modify the packet buffers.
 	//
 	// Right now, WritePackets is used only when the software segmentation
 	// offload is enabled. If it will be used for something else, syscall filters
@@ -859,7 +859,7 @@ type LinkEndpoint interface {
 	// If the link-layer has its own header, the payload must already include the
 	// header.
 	//
-	// WriteRawPacket takes ownership of the packet.
+	// WriteRawPacket may modify the packet.
 	WriteRawPacket(*PacketBuffer) tcpip.Error
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/stack.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/stack.go
index a05fd7036..3ddf9de6b 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/stack.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/stack.go
@@ -1622,6 +1622,7 @@ func (s *Stack) WritePacketToRemote(nicID tcpip.NICID, remote tcpip.LinkAddress,
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(nic.MaxHeaderLength()),
 		Data:               payload,
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber = netProto
 	return nic.WritePacketToRemote(remote, netProto, pkt)
 }
@@ -1639,6 +1640,7 @@ func (s *Stack) WriteRawPacket(nicID tcpip.NICID, proto tcpip.NetworkProtocolNum
 	pkt := NewPacketBuffer(PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: payload,
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.NetworkProtocolNumber = proto
 	return nic.WriteRawPacket(pkt)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/transport_demuxer.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/transport_demuxer.go
index 3474c292a..088913b83 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/transport_demuxer.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/transport_demuxer.go
@@ -401,14 +401,16 @@ func (ep *multiPortEndpoint) selectEndpoint(id TransportEndpointID, seed uint32)
 func (ep *multiPortEndpoint) handlePacketAll(id TransportEndpointID, pkt *PacketBuffer) {
 	ep.mu.RLock()
 	queuedProtocol, mustQueue := ep.demux.queuedProtocols[protocolIDs{ep.netProto, ep.transProto}]
-	// HandlePacket takes ownership of pkt, so each endpoint needs
+	// HandlePacket may modify pkt, so each endpoint needs
 	// its own copy except for the final one.
 	for _, endpoint := range ep.endpoints[:len(ep.endpoints)-1] {
+		clone := pkt.Clone()
 		if mustQueue {
-			queuedProtocol.QueuePacket(endpoint, id, pkt.Clone())
+			queuedProtocol.QueuePacket(endpoint, id, clone)
 		} else {
-			endpoint.HandlePacket(id, pkt.Clone())
+			endpoint.HandlePacket(id, clone)
 		}
+		clone.DecRef()
 	}
 	if endpoint := ep.endpoints[len(ep.endpoints)-1]; mustQueue {
 		queuedProtocol.QueuePacket(endpoint, id, pkt)
@@ -559,10 +561,12 @@ func (d *transportDemuxer) deliverPacket(protocol tcpip.TransportProtocolNumber,
 			d.stack.stats.UDP.UnknownPortErrors.Increment()
 			return false
 		}
-		// handlePacket takes ownership of pkt, so each endpoint needs its own
+		// handlePacket takes may modify pkt, so each endpoint needs its own
 		// copy except for the final one.
 		for _, ep := range destEPs[:len(destEPs)-1] {
-			ep.handlePacket(id, pkt.Clone())
+			clone := pkt.Clone()
+			ep.handlePacket(id, clone)
+			clone.DecRef()
 		}
 		destEPs[len(destEPs)-1].handlePacket(id, pkt)
 		return true
@@ -615,7 +619,9 @@ func (d *transportDemuxer) deliverRawPacket(protocol tcpip.TransportProtocolNumb
 	for _, rawEP := range rawEPs {
 		// Each endpoint gets its own copy of the packet for the sake
 		// of save/restore.
-		rawEP.HandlePacket(pkt.Clone())
+		clone := pkt.Clone()
+		rawEP.HandlePacket(clone)
+		clone.DecRef()
 	}
 
 	return len(rawEPs) != 0
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/tests/utils/utils.go b/pkg/tcpip/tests/utils/utils.go
index 654309584..bf6c69e3b 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/tests/utils/utils.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/tests/utils/utils.go
@@ -370,9 +370,11 @@ func rxICMPv4Echo(e *channel.Endpoint, src, dst tcpip.Address, ttl uint8, ty hea
 	})
 	ip.SetChecksum(^ip.CalculateChecksum())
 
-	e.InjectInbound(header.IPv4ProtocolNumber, stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
+	newPkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: hdr.View().ToVectorisedView(),
-	}))
+	})
+	defer newPkt.DecRef()
+	e.InjectInbound(header.IPv4ProtocolNumber, newPkt)
 }
 
 // RxICMPv4EchoRequest constructs and injects an ICMPv4 echo request packet on
@@ -408,9 +410,11 @@ func rxICMPv6Echo(e *channel.Endpoint, src, dst tcpip.Address, ttl uint8, ty hea
 		DstAddr:           dst,
 	})
 
-	e.InjectInbound(header.IPv6ProtocolNumber, stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
+	newPkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: hdr.View().ToVectorisedView(),
-	}))
+	})
+	defer newPkt.DecRef()
+	e.InjectInbound(header.IPv6ProtocolNumber, newPkt)
 }
 
 // RxICMPv6EchoRequest constructs and injects an ICMPv6 echo request packet on
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/icmp/endpoint.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/icmp/endpoint.go
index 995f58616..249588241 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/icmp/endpoint.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/icmp/endpoint.go
@@ -354,6 +354,7 @@ func send4(s *stack.Stack, ctx *network.WriteContext, ident uint16, data buffer.
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: header.ICMPv4MinimumSize + int(maxHeaderLength),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	icmpv4 := header.ICMPv4(pkt.TransportHeader().Push(header.ICMPv4MinimumSize))
 	pkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv4ProtocolNumber
@@ -394,6 +395,7 @@ func send6(s *stack.Stack, ctx *network.WriteContext, ident uint16, data buffer.
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: header.ICMPv6MinimumSize + int(maxHeaderLength),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	icmpv6 := header.ICMPv6(pkt.TransportHeader().Push(header.ICMPv6MinimumSize))
 	pkt.TransportProtocolNumber = header.ICMPv6ProtocolNumber
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/raw/endpoint.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/raw/endpoint.go
index ce76774af..37170cd7d 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/raw/endpoint.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/raw/endpoint.go
@@ -286,6 +286,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) write(p tcpip.Payloader, opts tcpip.WriteOptions) (int64, tcp
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: int(ctx.PacketInfo().MaxHeaderLength),
 		Data:               buffer.View(payloadBytes).ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	if err := ctx.WritePacket(pkt, e.ops.GetHeaderIncluded()); err != nil {
 		return 0, err
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/connect.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/connect.go
index 12df7a7b4..b1ab46c97 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/connect.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/connect.go
@@ -850,6 +850,7 @@ func sendTCPBatch(r *stack.Route, tf tcpFields, data buffer.VectorisedView, gso
 		pkt.GSOOptions = gso
 		pkts.PushBack(pkt)
 	}
+	defer pkts.DecRef()
 
 	if tf.ttl == 0 {
 		tf.ttl = r.DefaultTTL()
@@ -878,6 +879,7 @@ func sendTCP(r *stack.Route, tf tcpFields, data buffer.VectorisedView, gso stack
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: header.TCPMinimumSize + int(r.MaxHeaderLength()) + optLen,
 		Data:               data,
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	pkt.GSOOptions = gso
 	pkt.Hash = tf.txHash
 	pkt.Owner = owner
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/testing/context/context.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/testing/context/context.go
index 88bb99354..fd0eca4bd 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/testing/context/context.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/tcp/testing/context/context.go
@@ -421,6 +421,7 @@ func (c *Context) SendICMPPacket(typ header.ICMPv4Type, code header.ICMPv4Code,
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: buf.ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	c.linkEP.InjectInbound(ipv4.ProtocolNumber, pkt)
 }
 
@@ -477,6 +478,7 @@ func (c *Context) SendSegment(s buffer.VectorisedView) {
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: s,
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	c.linkEP.InjectInbound(ipv4.ProtocolNumber, pkt)
 }
 
@@ -486,6 +488,7 @@ func (c *Context) SendPacket(payload []byte, h *Headers) {
 	pkt := stack.NewPacketBuffer(stack.PacketBufferOptions{
 		Data: c.BuildSegment(payload, h),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 	c.linkEP.InjectInbound(ipv4.ProtocolNumber, pkt)
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/transport/udp/endpoint.go b/pkg/tcpip/transport/udp/endpoint.go
index 077a2325a..4f5d0bb0e 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/transport/udp/endpoint.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/transport/udp/endpoint.go
@@ -440,6 +440,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) write(p tcpip.Payloader, opts tcpip.WriteOptions) (int64, tcp
 		ReserveHeaderBytes: header.UDPMinimumSize + int(pktInfo.MaxHeaderLength),
 		Data:               udpInfo.data.ToVectorisedView(),
 	})
+	defer pkt.DecRef()
 
 	// Initialize the UDP header.
 	udp := header.UDP(pkt.TransportHeader().Push(header.UDPMinimumSize))