Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: JIT Compilation Failure Warning
Summary
CVE-2025-38280: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Avoid bpf_prog_ret0_warn when jit fails syzkaller reported an issue: WARNING: CPU: 3 PID: 217 at kernel/bpf/core.c:2357 bpf_prog_ret0_warn+0xa/0x20... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, providing essential services for hardware management and system resources. It supports a wide range of functionalities, including process management, memory management, and device drivers. This vulnerability specifically affects the BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) subsystem, which is used for packet filtering and network traffic analysis. The issue arises when the Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation feature fails, leading to potential security warnings and incorrect program behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified where the BPF program fails to handle JIT compilation errors correctly. This issue is triggered when the configuration for JIT compilation is not set properly, causing the system to treat an invalid program as valid. The warning is generated during the execution of the program, which can lead to unexpected behavior and potential exploitation if an attacker can manipulate the BPF program. The vulnerability is documented under CVE-2025-38280 and affects multiple Debian versions.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can disable the JIT compilation feature by setting the following configuration in your kernel parameters:
bpf_jit_enable=0
This can be done by adding it to your bootloader configuration (e.g., GRUB) to prevent the JIT compilation from being attempted until the vulnerability is resolved.
Conclusion
The CVE-2025-38280 vulnerability in the Linux kernel poses a significant risk due to improper handling of JIT compilation failures in the BPF subsystem. It is crucial to update to the patched version to ensure system security. Users should also consider using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
CVE-2025-38280 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to the BPF subsystem that can lead to incorrect program behavior due to JIT compilation failures.
If exploited, this vulnerability can lead to unexpected behavior in network packet filtering and may allow an attacker to manipulate BPF programs.
The vulnerability affects Debian versions 11, 12, and 13, with a specific fix available for Debian 13.
You can use Vulert, a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities, to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring installation.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider disabling JIT compilation as a temporary workaround to mitigate the risk until you can apply the patch.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.
