Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0 ktls bpf_msg_pop_data uninitialized pointer

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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.101/6.12.41/6.15.9/6.16.0. This issue affects the function bpf_msg_pop_data of the component ktls. The manipulation results in uninitialized pointer. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-38608. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.101/6.12.41/6.15.9/6.16.0. Affected is the function bpf_msg_pop_data of the component ktls. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a uninitialized pointer vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-824. The product accesses or uses a pointer that has not been initialized. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, ktls: Fix data corruption when using bpf_msg_pop_data() in ktls When sending plaintext data, we initially calculated the corresponding ciphertext length. However, if we later reduced the plaintext data length via socket policy, we failed to recalculate the ciphertext length. This results in transmitting buffers containing uninitialized data during ciphertext transmission. This causes uninitialized bytes to be appended after a complete "Application Data" packet, leading to errors on the receiving end when parsing TLS record.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38608 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265749 (SUSE SLED15 / SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:03290-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 16aca8bb4ad0d8a13c8b6da4007f4e52d53035bb/0e853c1464bcf61207f8b5c32d2ac5ee495e859d/ee03766d79de0f61ea29ffb6ab1c7b196ea1b02e/90d6ef67440cec2a0aad71a0108c8f216437345c/1e480387d4b42776f8957fb148af9d75ce93b96d/178f6a5c8cb3b6be1602de0964cd440243f493c9 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (265749), EUVD (EUVD-2025-26091) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1869). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway
  • IBM QRadar SIEM

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Uninitialized pointer
CWE: CWE-824 / CWE-908
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 265749
Nessus Name: SUSE SLED15 / SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:03290-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.148/6.6.102/6.12.42/6.15.10/6.16.1/6.17-rc1
Patch: 16aca8bb4ad0d8a13c8b6da4007f4e52d53035bb/0e853c1464bcf61207f8b5c32d2ac5ee495e859d/ee03766d79de0f61ea29ffb6ab1c7b196ea1b02e/90d6ef67440cec2a0aad71a0108c8f216437345c/1e480387d4b42776f8957fb148af9d75ce93b96d/178f6a5c8cb3b6be1602de0964cd440243f493c9

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
08/19/2025 +125 days Advisory disclosed
08/19/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/21/2026 +155 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38608 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38608
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-320610
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1869 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 08/19/2025 19:29
Updated: 01/21/2026 09:05
Changes: 08/19/2025 19:29 (58), 09/24/2025 05:28 (2), 09/25/2025 06:20 (7), 10/27/2025 02:02 (1), 11/01/2025 15:26 (1), 01/08/2026 01:02 (11), 01/08/2026 16:30 (1), 01/21/2026 09:05 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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