Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 regulator_unregister reference count

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 and classified as critical. The impacted element is the function regulator_unregister. The manipulation leads to reference count. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-40296. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function regulator_unregister. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: platform/x86: int3472: Fix double free of GPIO device during unregister regulator_unregister() already frees the associated GPIO device. On ThinkPad X9 (Lunar Lake), this causes a double free issue that leads to random failures when other drivers (typically Intel THC) attempt to allocate interrupts. The root cause is that the reference count of the pinctrl_intel_platform module unexpectedly drops to zero when this driver defers its probe. This behavior can also be reproduced by unloading the module directly. Fix the issue by removing the redundant release of the GPIO device during regulator unregistration.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-40296 since 04/16/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298897 (Ubuntu 25.10 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-8029-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.17.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b8113bb56c45bd17bac5144b55591f9cdbd6aabe/f0f7a3f542c1698edb69075f25a3f846207facba 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 (298897) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2756). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • NetApp FAS
  • NetApp AFF
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Microsoft Azure Linux

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
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: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
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: 298897
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 25.10 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-8029-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.8
Patch: b8113bb56c45bd17bac5144b55591f9cdbd6aabe/f0f7a3f542c1698edb69075f25a3f846207facba

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
12/08/2025 +236 days Advisory disclosed
12/08/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/23/2026 +77 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40296 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40296
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-334715
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2756 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 12/08/2025 06:19
Updated: 02/23/2026 08:22
Changes: 12/08/2025 06:19 (58), 01/04/2026 13:59 (7), 01/23/2026 06:40 (1), 02/15/2026 05:20 (2), 02/23/2026 08:22 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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