Linux Kernel up to 6.12.53/6.17.3 xsk aligned_validate_desc integer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.53/6.17.3. Affected is the function aligned_validate_desc of the component xsk. Such manipulation leads to integer overflow. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-40159. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.53/6.17.3. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function aligned_validate_desc of the component xsk. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a integer overflow vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-190. The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound, when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This can introduce other weaknesses when the calculation is used for resource management or execution control. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xsk: Harden userspace-supplied xdp_desc validation Turned out certain clearly invalid values passed in xdp_desc from userspace can pass xp_{,un}aligned_validate_desc() and then lead to UBs or just invalid frames to be queued for xmit. desc->len close to ``U32_MAX`` with a non-zero pool->tx_metadata_len can cause positive integer overflow and wraparound, the same way low enough desc->addr with a non-zero pool->tx_metadata_len can cause negative integer overflow. Both scenarios can then pass the validation successfully. This doesn't happen with valid XSk applications, but can be used to perform attacks. Always promote desc->len to ``u64`` first to exclude positive overflows of it. Use explicit check_{add,sub}_overflow() when validating desc->addr (which is ``u64`` already). bloat-o-meter reports a little growth of the code size: add/remove: 0/0 grow/shrink: 2/1 up/down: 60/-16 (44) Function old new delta xskq_cons_peek_desc 299 330 +31 xsk_tx_peek_release_desc_batch 973 1002 +29 xsk_generic_xmit 3148 3132 -16 but hopefully this doesn't hurt the performance much.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-40159 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 02/08/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 277808 (Amazon Linux 2023 : bpftool6.12, kernel6.12, kernel6.12-devel (ALAS2023-2025-1316)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.54, 6.17.4 or 6.18-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 1463cd066f32efd56ddfd3ac4e3524200f362980/5b5fffa7c81e55d8c8edf05ad40d811ec7047e21/07ca98f906a403637fc5e513a872a50ef1247f3b 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 (277808) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2579). 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
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • RESF Rocky Linux

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.8

VulDB Base Score: 7.1
VulDB Temp Score: 6.8
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: Integer overflow
CWE: CWE-190 / CWE-189
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: 277808
Nessus Name: Amazon Linux 2023 : bpftool6.12, kernel6.12, kernel6.12-devel (ALAS2023-2025-1316)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.54/6.17.4/6.18-rc1
Patch: 1463cd066f32efd56ddfd3ac4e3524200f362980/5b5fffa7c81e55d8c8edf05ad40d811ec7047e21/07ca98f906a403637fc5e513a872a50ef1247f3b

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
11/12/2025 +210 days Advisory disclosed
11/12/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/08/2026 +88 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40159 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40159
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-332144
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2579 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 11/12/2025 13:31
Updated: 02/08/2026 10:11
Changes: 11/12/2025 13:31 (59), 12/09/2025 13:34 (2), 12/21/2025 02:52 (7), 12/30/2025 21:43 (1), 02/08/2026 10:11 (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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