Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 NFS privilege escalation

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5.4	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component NFS. Such manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-39798. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown function of the component NFS. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: NFS: Fix the setting of capabilities when automounting a new filesystem Capabilities cannot be inherited when we cross into a new filesystem. They need to be reset to the minimal defaults, and then probed for again.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-39798 since 04/16/2025. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 264707 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-39798), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch 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 (264707) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2051). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.4.296
• 5.10.240
• 5.15.189
• 6.1.148
• 6.6.102
• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
• 6.12.8
• 6.12.9
• 6.12.10
• 6.12.11
• 6.12.12
• 6.12.13
• 6.12.14
• 6.12.15
• 6.12.16
• 6.12.17
• 6.12.18
• 6.12.19
• 6.12.20
• 6.12.21
• 6.12.22
• 6.12.23
• 6.12.24
• 6.12.25
• 6.12.26
• 6.12.27
• 6.12.28
• 6.12.29
• 6.12.30
• 6.12.31
• 6.12.32
• 6.12.33
• 6.12.34
• 6.12.35
• 6.12.36
• 6.12.37
• 6.12.38
• 6.12.39
• 6.12.40
• 6.12.41
• 6.12.42
• 6.15.0
• 6.15.1
• 6.15.2
• 6.15.3
• 6.15.4
• 6.15.5
• 6.15.6
• 6.15.7
• 6.15.8
• 6.15.9
• 6.15.10
• 6.16.0
• 6.16.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
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CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
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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

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 264707
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-39798

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.297/5.10.241/5.15.190/6.1.149/6.6.103/6.12.43/6.15.11/6.16.2/6.17-rc1
Patch: git.kernel.org

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
09/12/2025 +149 days Advisory disclosed
09/12/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/16/2026 +126 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-39798 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-39798
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-323792
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2051 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/12/2025 23:16
Updated: 01/16/2026 22:20
Changes: 09/12/2025 23:16 (56), 09/14/2025 23:53 (2), 09/15/2025 15:45 (7), 01/16/2026 22:20 (10)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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