Linux Kernel up to 6.17.3 media privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.3 and classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the component media. Performing a manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-40197. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.3. This affects an unknown part of the component media. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: mc: Clear minor number before put device The device minor should not be cleared after the device is released.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-40197 since 04/16/2025. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/07/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 276782 (Debian dla-4379 : linux-config-6.1 - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.301, 5.10.246, 5.15.195, 6.1.157, 6.6.113, 6.12.54, 6.17.4 or 6.18-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch dd156f44ea82cc249f46c519eed3b2f8983c8002/64dbc6f50ce92b7da203b1bcdd96a370bbc9b74d/5d327391f9fafeb0938be4fc538dd0bd54a0b2ef/8f52c7f38f0f2ee2afc331e6b873acba5e9490a8/7bd4e5367d0940ccec4d7546bb6bd019ab2c71aa/7db47e737128b3585ae679b709b85f3f44cd8750/ac01416d477c2dc6016782635ae022f8cc634a29/8cfc8cec1b4da88a47c243a11f384baefd092a50 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 (276782) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2595). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise 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: 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: 276782
Nessus Name: Debian dla-4379 : linux-config-6.1 - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.301/5.10.246/5.15.195/6.1.157/6.6.113/6.12.54/6.17.4/6.18-rc1
Patch: dd156f44ea82cc249f46c519eed3b2f8983c8002/64dbc6f50ce92b7da203b1bcdd96a370bbc9b74d/5d327391f9fafeb0938be4fc538dd0bd54a0b2ef/8f52c7f38f0f2ee2afc331e6b873acba5e9490a8/7bd4e5367d0940ccec4d7546bb6bd019ab2c71aa/7db47e737128b3585ae679b709b85f3f44cd8750/ac01416d477c2dc6016782635ae022f8cc634a29/8cfc8cec1b4da88a47c243a11f384baefd092a50

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
11/13/2025 +211 days Advisory disclosed
11/13/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/07/2026 +86 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40197 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40197
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-332265
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2595 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 11/13/2025 07:31
Updated: 02/07/2026 20:37
Changes: 11/13/2025 07:31 (57), 11/14/2025 05:27 (7), 11/28/2025 23:42 (2), 12/01/2025 14:33 (1), 12/21/2025 22:01 (1), 02/07/2026 20:37 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion

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