CVE-2025-71113: crypto: af_alg - zero initialize memory allocated via sock_kmalloc

Published Jan 14, 2026
·
Updated

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

crypto: afalg - zero initialize memory allocated via sockkmalloc

Several crypto user API contexts and requests allocated with sockkmalloc() were left uninitialized, relying on callers to set fields explicitly. This resulted in the use of uninitialized data in certain error paths or when new fields are added in the future.

The ACVP patches also contain two user-space interface files: algifkpp.c and algifakcipher.c. These too rely on proper initialization of their context structures.

A particular issue has been observed with the newly added 'inflight' variable introduced in afalgctx by commit:

67b164a871af ("crypto: afalg - Disallow multiple in-flight AIO requests")

Because the context is not memset to zero after allocation, the inflight variable has contained garbage values. As a result, afalgallocareq() has incorrectly returned -EBUSY randomly when the garbage value was interpreted as true:

https://github.com/gregkh/linux/blame/master/crypto/afalg.c#L1209

The check directly tests ctx->inflight without explicitly comparing against true/false. Since inflight is only ever set to true or false later, an uninitialized value has triggered -EBUSY failures. Zero-initializing memory allocated with sockkmalloc() ensures inflight and other fields start in a known state, removing random issues caused by uninitialized data.

Affected Software

16 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=2.6.38.1<5.10.248
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.198
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.160
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.120
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.64
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.3
Linux Linux kernel=2.6.38
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc5
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc6
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc7
Linux Linux kernel=6.19-rc8

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel crypto: af_alg to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch 67b164a871af
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel crypto: af_alg alloc areq initialization to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch crypto: af_alg - zero initialize memory allocated via sock_kmalloc

Event History

Jan 14, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:05 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:05 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:04 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-71113?

CVE-2025-71113 has been rated as a medium severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-71113?

To fix CVE-2025-71113, update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that includes the patch.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2025-71113?

CVE-2025-71113 affects various versions of the Linux kernel utilizing the crypto af_alg API.

4

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2025-71113?

CVE-2025-71113 could lead to information leakage by exposing uninitialized memory.

5

Is CVE-2025-71113 actively being exploited?

As of now, there are no known exploits for CVE-2025-71113 in the wild.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203