CVE-2025-38637: net_sched: skbprio: Remove overly strict queue assertions

Published Apr 18, 2025
·
Updated

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

netsched: skbprio: Remove overly strict queue assertions

In the current implementation, skbprio enqueue/dequeue contains an assertion that fails under certain conditions when SKBPRIO is used as a child qdisc under TBF with specific parameters. The failure occurs because TBF sometimes peeks at packets in the child qdisc without actually dequeuing them when tokens are unavailable.

This peek operation creates a discrepancy between the parent and child qdisc queue length counters. When TBF later receives a high-priority packet, SKBPRIO's queue length may show a different value than what's reflected in its internal priority queue tracking, triggering the assertion.

The fix removes this overly strict assertions in SKBPRIO, they are not necessary at all.

Affected Software

13 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=4.19<5.4.292
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.10.236
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.180
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.134
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.87
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.23
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.13.11
Linux Linux kernel>=6.14<6.14.2
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.92.2-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.85.1-4
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.115-27.2.12-17.2.15-1

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 6.12.115-2Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1

Event History

Apr 18, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:01 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:01 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jul 11, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected 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-2025-38637?

CVE-2025-38637 has been assigned a severity rating of medium due to its impact on queue management in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38637?

To resolve CVE-2025-38637, upgrade to the patched version of the Linux kernel where the issue has been addressed.

3

What software is affected by CVE-2025-38637?

CVE-2025-38637 affects the Linux kernel, specifically the network scheduling component dealing with skbprio.

4

Is CVE-2025-38637 exploitable remotely?

CVE-2025-38637 does not appear to be directly exploitable remotely as it involves local processes interacting with the kernel.

5

What are the implications of not addressing CVE-2025-38637?

Failure to address CVE-2025-38637 could lead to instability in network queue management, potentially affecting system performance.

Contact

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