Memory Leak Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: CVE-2025-37807
Summary
CVE-2025-37807: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix kmemleak warning for percpu hashmap Vlad Poenaru reported the following kmemleak issue: unreferenced object 0x606fd7c44ac8 (size 32): backtrace... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, managing hardware resources and providing essential services to applications. It is known for its robustness and flexibility, supporting a wide range of devices and architectures. However, vulnerabilities can arise, such as CVE-2025-37807, which affects the memory management subsystem, specifically related to the handling of percpu hashmaps.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2025-37807 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) subsystem. It was reported by Vlad Poenaru and is caused by improper alignment of a percpu pointer in the htab_elem_set_ptr() function. The pointer is stored in a location that is 4-byte aligned but not 8-byte aligned, leading to unreferenced objects that kmemleak cannot detect. This can result in memory leaks, potentially affecting system performance and stability. The vulnerability can be reproduced using BPF self-tests, which can expose the issue under specific configurations.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can enable CONFIG_DEBUG_KMEMLEAK in your kernel configuration to help identify memory leaks. Additionally, you can modify the test_hash_map() function in prog_tests/for_each.c to add a getchar() before the skel destroy call, allowing the map to remain available for kmemleak detection.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-37807 is a significant memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel that requires prompt attention. By updating to the latest patched version and utilizing temporary workarounds, users can mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Regular monitoring with tools like Vulert can also help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
CVE-2025-37807 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem, caused by improper alignment of percpu pointers.
This vulnerability can lead to memory leaks, which may degrade system performance and stability over time.
You can use tools like Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
Update your Linux package to the latest version that includes the patch for CVE-2025-37807. Follow the update instructions specific to your distribution.
Yes, enabling CONFIG_DEBUG_KMEMLEAK and modifying the test_hash_map() function can help identify memory leaks until a permanent fix is applied.
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