CVE-2025-38727: netlink: avoid infinite retry looping in netlink_unicast()

Published Sep 4, 2025
·
Updated

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

netlink: avoid infinite retry looping in netlinkunicast()

netlinkattachskb() checks for the socket's read memory allocation constraints. Firstly, it has:

rmem < READONCE(sk->skrcvbuf)

to check if the just increased rmem value fits into the socket's receive buffer. If not, it proceeds and tries to wait for the memory under:

rmem + skb->truesize > READONCE(sk->skrcvbuf)

The checks don't cover the case when skb->truesize + sk->skrmemalloc is equal to sk->skrcvbuf. Thus the function neither successfully accepts these conditions, nor manages to reschedule the task - and is called in retry loop for indefinite time which is caught as:

rcu: INFO: rcusched self-detected stall on CPU rcu: 0-....: (25999 ticks this GP) idle=ef2/1/0x4000000000000000 softirq=262269/262269 fqs=6212 (t=26000 jiffies g=230833 q=259957) NMI backtrace for cpu 0 CPU: 0 PID: 22 Comm: kauditd Not tainted 5.10.240 #68 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 1.17.0-4.fc42 04/01/2014 Call Trace: <IRQ> dumpstack lib/dumpstack.c:120 nmicpubacktrace.cold lib/nmibacktrace.c:105 nmitriggercpumaskbacktrace lib/nmibacktrace.c:62 rcudumpcpustacks kernel/rcu/treestall.h:335 rcuschedclockirq.cold kernel/rcu/tree.c:2590 updateprocesstimes kernel/time/timer.c:1953 tickschedhandle kernel/time/tick-sched.c:227 tickschedtimer kernel/time/tick-sched.c:1399 hrtimerrunqueues kernel/time/hrtimer.c:1652 hrtimerinterrupt kernel/time/hrtimer.c:1717 sysvecapictimerinterrupt arch/x86/kernel/apic/apic.c:1113 asmcallirqonstack arch/x86/entry/entry64.S:808 </IRQ>

netlinkattachskb net/netlink/afnetlink.c:1234 netlinkunicast net/netlink/afnetlink.c:1349 kauditdsendqueue kernel/audit.c:776 kauditdthread kernel/audit.c:897 kthread kernel/kthread.c:328 retfromfork arch/x86/entry/entry64.S:304

Restore the original behavior of the check which commit in Fixes accidentally missed when restructuring the code.

Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org).

Affected Software

147 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.1.146<6.1.149
Linux Linux kernel>=6.6.99<6.6.103
Linux Linux kernel>=6.12.39<6.12.43
Linux Linux kernel>=6.15.7<6.15.11
Linux Linux kernel>=6.16.1<6.16.2
Linux Linux kernel=5.4.296
Linux Linux kernel=5.10.240
Linux Linux kernel=5.15.189
Linux Linux kernel=6.16
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc6
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc7
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
debian/linux<6.1.153-1
6.1.153-1
debian/linux<6.12.43-1
6.12.43-1
debian/linux<6.16.3-1
6.16.3-1
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-5.15<5.15.0-1095.102~20.04.1
5.15.0-1095.102~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15<5.15.0-1098.107~20.04.1
5.15.0-1098.107~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15<5.15.0-1095.104~20.04.1
5.15.0-1095.104~20.04.1
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-5.15<5.15.0-160.170~20.04.1
5.15.0-160.170~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15<5.15.0-1089.92~20.04.1
5.15.0-1089.92~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15<5.15.0-1090.96~20.04.1
5.15.0-1090.96~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-160.170~20.04.1
5.15.0-160.170~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15<5.15.0-1047.47~20.04.1
5.15.0-1047.47~20.04.1
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-5.15<5.15.0-1092.98~20.04.1
5.15.0-1092.98~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-raspi2*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15<5.15.0-1090.94~20.04.1
5.15.0-1090.94~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*
ubuntu/linux<5.15.0-160.170
5.15.0-160.170
ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws<5.15.0-1095.102
5.15.0-1095.102
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-azure<5.15.0-1098.107
5.15.0-1098.107
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<5.15.0-1098.107.1
5.15.0-1098.107.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.15.0-1095.104
5.15.0-1095.104
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-gke<5.15.0-1091.97
5.15.0-1091.97
ubuntu/linux-gkeop<5.15.0-1078.86
5.15.0-1078.86
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-ibm<5.15.0-1089.92
5.15.0-1089.92
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg<5.15.0-1090.96
5.15.0-1090.96
ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.15.0-1089.94
5.15.0-1089.94
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<5.15.0-160.170
5.15.0-160.170
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia<5.15.0-1090.91
5.15.0-1090.91
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<5.15.0-1047.47
5.15.0-1047.47
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx<5.15.0-1036.36
5.15.0-1036.36
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.15.0-1092.98
5.15.0-1092.98
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-raspi<5.15.0-1089.92
5.15.0-1089.92
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp<5.15.0-1059.63
5.15.0-1059.63
ubuntu/linux-bluefield<5.15.0-1079.81
5.15.0-1079.81
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime<5.15.0-1087.89
5.15.0-1087.89
ubuntu/linux-realtime<5.15.0-1094.103
5.15.0-1094.103
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<5.15.0-1095.102+fips1
5.15.0-1095.102+fips1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<5.15.0-1098.107+fips1
5.15.0-1098.107+fips1
ubuntu/linux-fips<5.15.0-160.170+fips1
5.15.0-160.170+fips1
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<5.15.0-1095.104+fips1
5.15.0-1095.104+fips1
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-intel*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-vmware*
linux/kernel<5.4.297
5.4.297
linux/kernel>=5.5.0<5.10.241
5.10.241
linux/kernel>=5.11.0<5.15.190
5.15.190
linux/kernel>=5.16.0<6.1.149
6.1.149
linux/kernel>=6.2.0<6.6.103
6.6.103
linux/kernel>=6.7.0<6.12.43
6.12.43
linux/kernel>=6.13.0<6.15.11
6.15.11
linux/kernel>=6.16.0<6.16.2
6.16.2
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.116-17.2.15-17.3.4-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.1.153-1
  2. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.12.43-1
  3. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.16.3-1
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.102~20.04.1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.107~20.04.1
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.104~20.04.1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-160.170~20.04.1
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1089.92~20.04.1
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1090.96~20.04.1
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-160.170~20.04.1
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1047.47~20.04.1
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1092.98~20.04.1
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1090.94~20.04.1
  14. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.15.0-160.170
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.102
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.107
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.107.1
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.104
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1091.97
  20. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1078.86
  21. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1089.92
  22. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1090.96
  23. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1089.94
  24. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-160.170
  25. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1090.91
  26. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1047.47
  27. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1036.36
  28. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1092.98
  29. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1089.92
  30. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1059.63
  31. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1079.81
  32. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1087.89
  33. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1094.103
  34. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.102+fips1
  35. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.107+fips1
  36. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-160.170+fips1
  37. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.104+fips1
  38. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.4.297
  39. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.10.241
  40. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.15.190
  41. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.1.149
  42. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.6.103
  43. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.12.43
  44. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.15.11
  45. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 6.16.2
  46. 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 6.12.116-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1Fixed in 7.3.4-1

Event History

Sep 4, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:33 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:33 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via OSV·03:33 PM
DescriptionAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Nov 11, 2026
Data Sourced
via OSV·09:39 AM
Severity

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-2025-38727?

The severity of CVE-2025-38727 is moderate due to the potential for causing a denial of service through infinite retry looping.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38727?

To fix CVE-2025-38727, update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability is patched.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2025-38727?

CVE-2025-38727 affects various versions of the Linux kernel that implement netlink functionalities.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-38727?

CVE-2025-38727 is categorized as a denial of service vulnerability due to an infinite loop in netlink_unicast().

5

When was CVE-2025-38727 published?

CVE-2025-38727 was published as part of security advisories related to the Linux kernel.

Company

Resources

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