Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 gve ptp_clock_settime null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7. This affects the function ptp_clock_settime of the component gve. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability appears as CVE-2025-40298. There is no available exploit.
Upgrading the affected component is recommended.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7. This vulnerability affects the function ptp_clock_settime of the component gve. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gve: Implement settime64 with -EOPNOTSUPP ptp_clock_settime() assumes every ptp_clock has implemented settime64(). Stub it with -EOPNOTSUPP to prevent a NULL dereference.
The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-40298 since 04/16/2025. Technical details 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 c9efb03ff4fae0bc7e5ef3323c3aab599cb4c88a/329d050bbe63c2999f657cf2d3855be11a473745 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). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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 Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.8
Patch: c9efb03ff4fae0bc7e5ef3323c3aab599cb4c88a/329d050bbe63c2999f657cf2d3855be11a473745
Timeline
04/16/2025 CVE reserved12/08/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/08/2025 VulDB entry created
02/23/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-40298 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40298
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-334738
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2756 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service
Entry
Created: 12/08/2025 06:30Updated: 02/23/2026 08:22
Changes: 12/08/2025 06:30 (60), 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
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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