CVE-2025-38551: virtio-net: fix recursived rtnl_lock() during probe()

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-38551?

CVE-2025-38551 has been categorized as a moderate severity vulnerability.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2025-38551?

To fix CVE-2025-38551, users should update their Linux kernel to the patched version that resolves the deadlock issue.

Q: What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-38551?

CVE-2025-38551 is a deadlock vulnerability affecting the virtio-net component in the Linux kernel.

Q: In which versions of the Linux kernel does CVE-2025-38551 appear?

CVE-2025-38551 affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel prior to the patch, but specific affected versions are not listed.

Q: What are the consequences of CVE-2025-38551 if exploited?

If exploited, CVE-2025-38551 could lead to a system hang due to the recursive deadlock in the rtnl_lock().

Published Aug 16, 2025

Updated

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

virtio-net: fix recursived rtnllock() during probe()

The deadlock appears in a stack trace like:

virtnetprobe() rtnllock() virtioconfigchangedwork() netdevnotifypeers() rtnllock()

It happens if the VMM sends a VIRTIONETSANNOUNCE request while the virtio-net driver is still probing.

The configwork in probe() will get scheduled until virtnetopen() enables the config change notification via virtioconfigdriverenable().

Affected Software

142 affected componentsFixes available

Linux Kernel

Linux Linux kernel>=6.11.2<6.12.40

Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.15.8

Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc1

Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc2

Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc3

Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc4

Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc5

Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc6

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8<6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1

6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1

6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1

6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2

6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1

6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1044.44~22.04.1

6.8.0-1044.44~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-100.100.1~22.04.1

6.8.0-100.100.1~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8<6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1

6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8<6.8.0-1043.44~22.04.1

6.8.0-1043.44~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8<6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1

6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1041.42~22.04.1

6.8.1-1041.42~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-100.100

6.8.0-100.100

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1046.49

6.8.0-1046.49

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14<6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1

6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1046.52

6.8.0-1046.52

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14<6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1

6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<6.8.0-1046.53

6.8.0-1046.53

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia<6.8.0-1039.42

6.8.0-1039.42

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.8.0-1047.50

6.8.0-1047.50

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14<6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1

6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1043.48

6.8.0-1043.48

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1030.33

6.8.0-1030.33

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1044.44

6.8.0-1044.44

ubuntu/linux-intel*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-100.100.1

6.8.0-100.100.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1046.49

6.8.0-1046.49

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency<6.8.0-1046.49.1

6.8.0-1046.49.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<6.8.0-1020.20

6.8.0-1020.20

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14<6.14.0-1016.16

6.14.0-1016.16

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1043.44

6.8.0-1043.44

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14<6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1

6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.8.0-1047.51

6.8.0-1047.51

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14<6.14.0-36.36.1~24.04.1

6.14.0-36.36.1~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-xilinx<6.8.0-1023.24

6.8.0-1023.24

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1016.20

6.8.0-1016.20

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime<6.8.0-2037.38

6.8.0-2037.38

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1041.42

6.8.1-1041.42

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14<6.14.0-1016.16~24.04.1

6.14.0-1016.16~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1046.49+fips1

6.8.0-1046.49+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1046.52+fips1

6.8.0-1046.52+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<6.8.0-100.100+fips1

6.8.0-100.100+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1047.50+fips1

6.8.0-1047.50+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-vmware*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1044.44~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100.1~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1043.44~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1041.42~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.52
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.53
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1039.42
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.50
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1043.48
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1030.33
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1044.44
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1020.20
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-1016.16
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1043.44
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.51
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-36.36.1~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1023.24
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1016.20
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-2037.38
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1041.42
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.14.0-1016.16~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.52+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.50+fips1

Event History

Aug 16, 2025

CVE Published

via MITRE·11:34 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·11:34 AM

Description

Data Sourced

via OSV·12:15 PM

DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Data Sourced

via NVD·12:15 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38551?

CVE-2025-38551 has been categorized as a moderate severity vulnerability.

How do I fix CVE-2025-38551?

To fix CVE-2025-38551, users should update their Linux kernel to the patched version that resolves the deadlock issue.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-38551?

CVE-2025-38551 is a deadlock vulnerability affecting the virtio-net component in the Linux kernel.

In which versions of the Linux kernel does CVE-2025-38551 appear?

CVE-2025-38551 affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel prior to the patch, but specific affected versions are not listed.

What are the consequences of CVE-2025-38551 if exploited?

If exploited, CVE-2025-38551 could lead to a system hang due to the recursive deadlock in the rtnl_lock().

CVE-2025-38551: virtio-net: fix recursived rtnl_lock() during probe()

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38551?

How do I fix CVE-2025-38551?

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-38551?

In which versions of the Linux kernel does CVE-2025-38551 appear?

What are the consequences of CVE-2025-38551 if exploited?

Company

Resources

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