Linux Kernel up to 6.12.71/6.18.10/6.19.0 configfs_add_default_group null pointer dereference

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CTI Interest Score
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5.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.71/6.18.10/6.19.0. This vulnerability affects the function configfs_add_default_group. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-71233. There is not any exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.71/6.18.10/6.19.0. Affected is the function configfs_add_default_group. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: PCI: endpoint: Avoid creating sub-groups asynchronously The asynchronous creation of sub-groups by a delayed work could lead to a NULL pointer dereference when the driver directory is removed before the work completes. The crash can be easily reproduced with the following commands: # cd /sys/kernel/config/pci_ep/functions/pci_epf_test # for i in {1..20}; do mkdir test && rmdir test; done BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000088 ... Call Trace: configfs_register_group+0x3d/0x190 pci_epf_cfs_work+0x41/0x110 process_one_work+0x18f/0x350 worker_thread+0x25a/0x3a0 Fix this issue by using configfs_add_default_group() API which does not have the deadlock problem as configfs_register_group() and does not require the delayed work handler. [mani: slightly reworded the description and added stable list]

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-71233 since 02/18/2026. The exploitability is told to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299460 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-71233), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.72, 6.18.11 or 6.19.1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d9af3cf58bb4c8d6dea4166011c780756b1138b5/24a253c3aa6d9a2cde46158ce9782e023bfbf32d/73cee890adafa2c219bb865356e08e7f82423fe5 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 (299460) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0462). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.0

VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
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: 299460
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-71233

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.72/6.18.11/6.19.1
Patch: d9af3cf58bb4c8d6dea4166011c780756b1138b5/24a253c3aa6d9a2cde46158ce9782e023bfbf32d/73cee890adafa2c219bb865356e08e7f82423fe5

Timelineinfo

02/18/2026 Advisory disclosed
02/18/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
02/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/19/2026 +29 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-71233 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-71233
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-346536
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0462 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/18/2026 16:59
Updated: 03/19/2026 09:01
Changes: 02/18/2026 16:59 (58), 02/19/2026 10:47 (2), 02/20/2026 00:19 (7), 02/23/2026 05:46 (1), 03/19/2026 09:01 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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