Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: Netlink Memory Management Flaw
Summary
CVE-2025-38465: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netlink: Fix wraparounds of sk->sk_rmem_alloc. 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, providing essential services for hardware and software interaction. It manages system resources and enables communication between hardware and software components. The kernel's netlink subsystem is responsible for communication between the kernel and user-space processes, particularly for networking tasks. This vulnerability affects various Debian versions (11, 12, and 13) of the Linux package, posing a risk to systems relying on these kernels.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified in the netlink subsystem related to memory management. The issue arises from improper handling of the sk->sk_rmem_alloc variable, which can lead to integer wraparounds. When the receive buffer size (SO_RCVBUFFORCE) is set to INT_MAX, the condition checking for memory allocation can fail, allowing a single socket to consume excessive memory until the system runs out of memory (OOM). This flaw can lead to denial of service and system instability, as multiple wraparounds of sk->sk_rmem_alloc can occur, causing unpredictable behavior.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can monitor the memory usage of sockets and adjust the SO_RCVBUFFORCE setting to a lower value to prevent the condition from being triggered. However, this is not a permanent solution and updating the kernel is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The CVE-2025-38465 vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netlink subsystem poses significant risks to system stability and security. Users are urged to update their kernel packages to the latest versions to protect against potential exploitation. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in your software.
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FAQ
CVE-2025-38465 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netlink subsystem that can lead to memory management issues and potential denial of service.
Debian versions 11, 12, and 13 are affected by this vulnerability in the Linux kernel.
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 without needing to sign up.
The primary risk is denial of service, as the vulnerability allows excessive memory consumption by a single socket, potentially leading to system instability.
Yes, a patch is available in the latest versions of the Linux kernel. Users should update their systems to the patched version to mitigate the risk.
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