CVE-2025-39764: netfilter: ctnetlink: remove refcounting in expectation dumpers

Published Sep 11, 2025
·
Updated

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

netfilter: ctnetlink: remove refcounting in expectation dumpers

Same pattern as previous patch: do not keep the expectation object alive via refcount, only store a cookie value and then use that as the skip hint for dump resumption.

AFAICS this has the same issue as the one resolved in the conntrack dumper, when we do if (!refcountincnotzero(&exp->use))

to increment the refcount, there is a chance that exp == last, which causes a double-increment of the refcount and subsequent memory leak.

Affected Software

9 affected components
Linux Kernel
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-2
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.104.2-4
Linux Linux kernel>=2.6.23<6.16.2
Linux Linux kernel=6.17-rc1
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.186.1-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.112.1-2
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.117.1-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.119.3-1

Event History

Sep 11, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:52 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:52 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 13, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·01:02 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·01:02 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Updated
via Microsoft·01:02 AM
Affected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-39764?

The severity of CVE-2025-39764 is labeled as moderate due to potential impact on kernel security.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-39764?

To fix CVE-2025-39764, upgrade to the latest version of the Linux kernel that contains the patch for this vulnerability.

3

What are the affected systems for CVE-2025-39764?

CVE-2025-39764 affects various distributions of the Linux kernel.

4

What does CVE-2025-39764 involve?

CVE-2025-39764 involves the removal of refcounting in expectation dumpers within the netfilter subsystem of the Linux kernel.

5

Is CVE-2025-39764 easily exploitable?

CVE-2025-39764 is not widely exploitable in common configurations, but specific conditions could lead to risks.

Contact

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