Linux Kernel up to 6.16.9 i40e privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.9. It has been declared as critical. This impacts an unknown function of the component i40e. The manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-39968. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.9. Affected is some unknown processing of the component i40e. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i40e: add max boundary check for VF filters There is no check for max filters that VF can request. Add it.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-39968 since 04/16/2025. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 271550 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-39968), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.300, 5.10.245, 5.15.194, 6.1.155, 6.6.109, 6.12.50 or 6.16.10 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 9176e18681cb0d34c5acc87bda224f5652af2ab8/e490d8c5a54e0dd1ab22417d72c3a7319cf0f030/77a35be582dff4c80442ebcdce24d45eed8a6ce4/edecce7abd7152b48e279b4fa0a883d1839bb577/d33e5d6631ac4fddda235a7815babc9d3f124299/8b13df5aa877b9e4541e301a58a84c42d84d2d9a/cb79fa7118c150c3c76a327894bb2eb878c02619 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 (271550) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2298). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • Dell NetWorker

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: 5.3

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

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 271550
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-39968

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.300/5.10.245/5.15.194/6.1.155/6.6.109/6.12.50/6.16.10
Patch: 9176e18681cb0d34c5acc87bda224f5652af2ab8/e490d8c5a54e0dd1ab22417d72c3a7319cf0f030/77a35be582dff4c80442ebcdce24d45eed8a6ce4/edecce7abd7152b48e279b4fa0a883d1839bb577/d33e5d6631ac4fddda235a7815babc9d3f124299/8b13df5aa877b9e4541e301a58a84c42d84d2d9a/cb79fa7118c150c3c76a327894bb2eb878c02619

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
10/15/2025 +182 days Advisory disclosed
10/15/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/02/2026 +110 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-39968 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-39968
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-328656
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2298 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/15/2025 12:16
Updated: 02/02/2026 11:04
Changes: 10/15/2025 12:16 (57), 10/27/2025 15:01 (2), 11/03/2025 13:30 (7), 11/22/2025 13:12 (1), 12/21/2025 06:25 (1), 02/02/2026 11:04 (1)
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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