Linux Kernel up to 6.19-rc3 crypto_aead_encrypt null pointer dereference

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.3/6.19-rc3. The affected element is the function crypto_aead_encrypt. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-71131. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.3/6.19-rc3 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function crypto_aead_encrypt. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: seqiv - Do not use req->iv after crypto_aead_encrypt As soon as crypto_aead_encrypt is called, the underlying request may be freed by an asynchronous completion. Thus dereferencing req->iv after it returns is invalid. Instead of checking req->iv against info, create a new variable unaligned_info and use it for that purpose instead.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-71131 since 01/13/2026. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298680 (Debian dla-4475 : ata-modules-5.10.0-35-armmp-di - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.64, 6.18.4 or 6.19-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 50f196d2bbaee4ab2494bb1b0d294deba292951a/ccbb96434d88e32358894c879457b33f7508e798/5476f7f8a311236604b78fcc5b2a63b3a61b0169/50fdb78b7c0bcc550910ef69c0984e751cac72fa 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 (298680), EUVD (EUVD-2026-2488) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0119). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 298680
Nessus Name: Debian dla-4475 : ata-modules-5.10.0-35-armmp-di - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.64/6.18.4/6.19-rc4
Patch: 50f196d2bbaee4ab2494bb1b0d294deba292951a/ccbb96434d88e32358894c879457b33f7508e798/5476f7f8a311236604b78fcc5b2a63b3a61b0169/50fdb78b7c0bcc550910ef69c0984e751cac72fa

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
01/14/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
01/14/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/25/2026 +70 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-71131 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-71131
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-341105
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0119 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 01/14/2026 17:54
Updated: 03/25/2026 23:19
Changes: 01/14/2026 17:54 (58), 01/16/2026 05:59 (7), 01/20/2026 10:53 (1), 02/16/2026 14:08 (2), 03/25/2026 23:19 (10)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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