CVE-2025-38115: net_sched: sch_sfq: fix a potential crash on gso_skb handling

Published Jul 3, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

netsched: schsfq: fix a potential crash on gsoskb handling

SFQ has an assumption of always being able to queue at least one packet.

However, after the blamed commit, sch->q.len can be inflated by packets in sch->gsoskb, and an enqueue() on an empty SFQ qdisc can be followed by an immediate drop.

Fix sfqdrop() to properly clear q->tail in this situation.

ip netns add lb ip link add dev to-lb type veth peer name in-lb netns lb ethtool -K to-lb tso off # force qdisc to requeue gsoskb ip netns exec lb ethtool -K in-lb gro on # enable NAPI ip link set dev to-lb up ip -netns lb link set dev in-lb up ip addr add dev to-lb 192.168.20.1/24 ip -netns lb addr add dev in-lb 192.168.20.2/24 tc qdisc replace dev to-lb root sfq limit 100

ip netns exec lb netserver

netperf -H 192.168.20.2 -l 100 & netperf -H 192.168.20.2 -l 100 & netperf -H 192.168.20.2 -l 100 & netperf -H 192.168.20.2 -l 100 &

Affected Software

11 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=4.16<5.4.295
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.10.239
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.186
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.142
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.94
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.34
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.15.3
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc1
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.113-17.2.12-17.2.13-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.113-1Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.13-1

Event History

Jul 3, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:35 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:35 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38115?

CVE-2025-38115 has been classified as a medium severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38115?

To fix CVE-2025-38115, you need to update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version where this vulnerability has been addressed.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2025-38115?

CVE-2025-38115 affects various versions of the Linux kernel that include the sch_sfq module.

4

What kind of impact does CVE-2025-38115 have on system performance?

CVE-2025-38115 may lead to a potential crash when handling gso_skb in the sch_sfq module, impacting system stability.

5

Is CVE-2025-38115 a remote exploit vulnerability?

CVE-2025-38115 is not categorized as a remote exploit vulnerability, as it requires local access to the affected system.

Contact

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