Linux Kernel up to 6.16.4/6.17-rc3 mlx5 memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.4/6.17-rc3. It has been declared as critical. Impacted is an unknown function of the component mlx5. Such manipulation leads to memory leak. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2025-39834. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.4/6.17-rc3 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown processing of the component mlx5. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5: HWS, Fix memory leak in hws_action_get_shared_stc_nic error flow When an invalid stc_type is provided, the function allocates memory for shared_stc but jumps to unlock_and_out without freeing it, causing a memory leak. Fix by jumping to free_shared_stc label instead to ensure proper cleanup.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-39834 since 04/16/2025. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265185 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-39834), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.16.5 or 6.17-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 051fd8576a2e4e95d5870c5c9f8679c5b16882e4/a630f83592cdad1253523a1b760cfe78fef6cd9c 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 (265185) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2077). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

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

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
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Nessus ID: 265185
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-39834

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.16.5/6.17-rc4
Patch: 051fd8576a2e4e95d5870c5c9f8679c5b16882e4/a630f83592cdad1253523a1b760cfe78fef6cd9c

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
09/16/2025 +153 days Advisory disclosed
09/16/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/27/2025 +102 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-39834 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-39834
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-324428
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2077 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2025 16:04
Updated: 12/27/2025 18:36
Changes: 09/16/2025 16:04 (58), 09/20/2025 12:59 (2), 12/01/2025 23:50 (10), 12/27/2025 18:36 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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