Linux Kernel up to 6.12.63/6.18.3/6.19-rc3 gve __napi_poll initialization

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.63/6.18.3/6.19-rc3. This vulnerability affects the function __napi_poll of the component gve. The manipulation results in initialization. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-71156. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.63/6.18.3/6.19-rc3. Affected is the function __napi_poll of the component gve. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-665. The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource, which might leave the resource in an unexpected state when it is accessed or used. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gve: defer interrupt enabling until NAPI registration Currently, interrupts are automatically enabled immediately upon request. This allows interrupt to fire before the associated NAPI context is fully initialized and cause failures like below: [ 0.946369] Call Trace: [ 0.946369] <IRQ> [ 0.946369] __napi_poll+0x2a/0x1e0 [ 0.946369] net_rx_action+0x2f9/0x3f0 [ 0.946369] handle_softirqs+0xd6/0x2c0 [ 0.946369] ? handle_edge_irq+0xc1/0x1b0 [ 0.946369] __irq_exit_rcu+0xc3/0xe0 [ 0.946369] common_interrupt+0x81/0xa0 [ 0.946369] </IRQ> [ 0.946369] <TASK> [ 0.946369] asm_common_interrupt+0x22/0x40 [ 0.946369] RIP: 0010:pv_native_safe_halt+0xb/0x10 Use the `IRQF_NO_AUTOEN` flag when requesting interrupts to prevent auto enablement and explicitly enable the interrupt in NAPI initialization path (and disable it during NAPI teardown). This ensures that interrupt lifecycle is strictly coupled with readiness of NAPI context.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-71156 since 01/13/2026. The exploitability is told 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 05/17/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 296402 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-71156), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.64, 6.18.4 or 6.19-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f5b7f49bd2377916ad57cbd1210c61196daff013/48f9277680925e1a8623d6b2c50aadb7af824ace/3d970eda003441f66551a91fda16478ac0711617 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 (296402) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0215). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• IBM QRadar SIEM
• SUSE openSUSE
• RESF Rocky Linux
• NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
• Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
• 6.12.8
• 6.12.9
• 6.12.10
• 6.12.11
• 6.12.12
• 6.12.13
• 6.12.14
• 6.12.15
• 6.12.16
• 6.12.17
• 6.12.18
• 6.12.19
• 6.12.20
• 6.12.21
• 6.12.22
• 6.12.23
• 6.12.24
• 6.12.25
• 6.12.26
• 6.12.27
• 6.12.28
• 6.12.29
• 6.12.30
• 6.12.31
• 6.12.32
• 6.12.33
• 6.12.34
• 6.12.35
• 6.12.36
• 6.12.37
• 6.12.38
• 6.12.39
• 6.12.40
• 6.12.41
• 6.12.42
• 6.12.43
• 6.12.44
• 6.12.45
• 6.12.46
• 6.12.47
• 6.12.48
• 6.12.49
• 6.12.50
• 6.12.51
• 6.12.52
• 6.12.53
• 6.12.54
• 6.12.55
• 6.12.56
• 6.12.57
• 6.12.58
• 6.12.59
• 6.12.60
• 6.12.61
• 6.12.62
• 6.12.63
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.19-rc1
• 6.19-rc2
• 6.19-rc3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Entryinfo

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