UBUNTU-CVE-2025-71097: Medium severity ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge vulnerability

Q: Which systems are exposed to this issue?

Systems using the affected Ubuntu Linux kernel packages are exposed when they use IPv4 error routes, such as blackhole routes, that reference a nexthop object. IPv6 is not affected.

Q: What sequence triggers the reference leak?

A privileged local user or process must create an IPv4 error route associated with a nexthop object and then delete that nexthop object. The stale error route can retain references to both the deleted nexthop object and its device.

Q: What is the operational impact?

The retained device reference can prevent the associated network device from being freed when it is deleted, causing the kernel to wait for the device to become free. The reported impact is an availability issue rather than loss of confidentiality or integrity.

Q: How can administrators identify a potentially affected configuration?

Check for IPv4 error routes, including blackhole routes, that use a nexthop ID, particularly where the referenced nexthop has been deleted. A device deletion that stalls with an unregister_netdevice message and a nonzero usage count is consistent with the described leak.

Published Jan 13, 2026

Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: Fix reference count leak when using error routes with nexthop objects When a nexthop object is deleted, it is marked as dead and then fibtableflush() is called to flush all the routes that are using the dead nexthop. The current logic in fibtableflush() is to only flush error routes (e.g., blackhole) when it is called as part of network namespace dismantle (i.e., with flushall=true). Therefore, error routes are not flushed when their nexthop object is deleted: # ip link add name dummy1 up type dummy # ip nexthop add id 1 dev dummy1 # ip route add 198.51.100.1/32 nhid 1 # ip route add blackhole 198.51.100.2/32 nhid 1 # ip nexthop del id 1 # ip route show blackhole 198.51.100.2 nhid 1 dev dummy1 As such, they keep holding a reference on the nexthop object which in turn holds a reference on the nexthop device, resulting in a reference count leak: # ip link del dev dummy1 [ 70.516258] unregisternetdevice: waiting for dummy1 to become free. Usage count = 2 Fix by flushing error routes when their nexthop is marked as dead. IPv6 does not suffer from this problem.

Affected Software

214 affected componentsFixes available

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4*

ubuntu/linux*

ubuntu/linux-aws*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15<5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1

5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15<5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1

5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-bluefield*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15<5.15.0-1103.112~20.04.1

5.15.0-1103.112~20.04.1

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<5.15.0-173.183~20.04.1

5.15.0-173.183~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-ibm*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15<5.15.0-1097.100~20.04.1

5.15.0-1097.100~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15<5.15.0-1098.104~20.04.1

5.15.0-1098.104~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-iot*

ubuntu/linux-kvm*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-173.183~20.04.1

5.15.0-173.183~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15<5.15.0-1055.55~20.04.1

5.15.0-1055.55~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15<5.15.0-1100.106~20.04.1

5.15.0-1100.106~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15<5.15.0-1097.101~20.04.1

5.15.0-1097.101~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux<5.15.0-173.183

5.15.0-173.183

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws<5.15.0-1103.110

5.15.0-1103.110

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8<6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1

6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure<5.15.0-1109.118

5.15.0-1109.118

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1

6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<5.15.0-1109.118.1

5.15.0-1109.118.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1

6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.15.0-1103.112

5.15.0-1103.112

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1054.57~22.04.1

6.8.0-1054.57~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<5.15.0-1099.105

5.15.0-1099.105

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<5.15.0-1086.94

5.15.0-1086.94

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-110.110~22.04.1

6.8.0-110.110~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm<5.15.0-1097.100

5.15.0-1097.100

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1051.51~22.04.1

6.8.0-1051.51~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg<5.15.0-1098.104

5.15.0-1098.104

ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.15.0-1095.100

5.15.0-1095.100

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<5.15.0-173.183

5.15.0-173.183

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-110.110.1~22.04.1

6.8.0-110.110.1~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<5.15.0-1098.99

5.15.0-1098.99

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8<6.8.0-1051.54~22.04.1

6.8.0-1051.54~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<5.15.0-1055.55

5.15.0-1055.55

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx<5.15.0-1044.44

5.15.0-1044.44

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.15.0-1100.106

5.15.0-1100.106

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8<6.8.0-1049.50~22.04.1

6.8.0-1049.50~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi<5.15.0-1097.100

5.15.0-1097.100

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8<6.8.0-110.110~22.04.1

6.8.0-110.110~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp<5.15.0-1067.71

5.15.0-1067.71

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<5.15.0-1086.88

5.15.0-1086.88

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime<5.15.0-1094.96

5.15.0-1094.96

ubuntu/linux-realtime<5.15.0-1102.111

5.15.0-1102.111

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1047.48~22.04.1

6.8.1-1047.48~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<5.15.0-1103.110+fips1

5.15.0-1103.110+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<5.15.0-1109.118+fips1

5.15.0-1109.118+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<5.15.0-173.183+fips1

5.15.0-173.183+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<5.15.0-1103.112+fips1

5.15.0-1103.112+fips1

ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-110.110

6.8.0-110.110

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1052.55

6.8.0-1052.55

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17<6.17.0-1012.12~24.04.1

6.17.0-1012.12~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1054.60

6.8.0-1054.60

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17<6.17.0-1013.13~24.04.1

6.17.0-1013.13~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<6.8.0-1058.65

6.8.0-1058.65

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<6.8.0-1054.57

6.8.0-1054.57

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.17<6.17.0-1012.12~24.04.1

6.17.0-1012.12~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1050.56

6.8.0-1050.56

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1037.40

6.8.0-1037.40

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17<6.17.0-22.22~24.04.1

6.17.0-22.22~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1051.51

6.8.0-1051.51

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-110.110.1

6.8.0-110.110.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1051.54

6.8.0-1051.54

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17<6.17.0-1018.18

6.17.0-1018.18

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency<6.8.0-1051.54.1

6.8.0-1051.54.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<6.8.0-1022.22

6.8.0-1022.22

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17<6.17.0-1020.20

6.17.0-1020.20

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1049.50

6.8.0-1049.50

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17<6.17.0-1011.11~24.04.1

6.17.0-1011.11~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.8.0-1052.56

6.8.0-1052.56

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17<6.17.0-22.22.1~24.04.1

6.17.0-22.22.1~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-xilinx<6.8.0-1028.29

6.8.0-1028.29

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1017.21

6.8.0-1017.21

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime<6.8.0-2042.43

6.8.0-2042.43

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1047.48

6.8.1-1047.48

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17<6.17.0-1010.11~24.04.1

6.17.0-1010.11~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1052.55+fips1

6.8.0-1052.55+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1053.59+fips1

6.8.0-1053.59+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<6.8.0-110.110+fips2

6.8.0-110.110+fips2

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1054.57+fips1

6.8.0-1054.57+fips1

ubuntu/linux<6.17.0-22.22

6.17.0-22.22

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.17.0-1012.12

6.17.0-1012.12

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.17.0-1013.13

6.17.0-1013.13

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.17.0-1012.12

6.17.0-1012.12

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.17.0-1011.11

6.17.0-1011.11

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.17.0-1013.13

6.17.0-1013.13

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.17.0-1010.11

6.17.0-1010.11

ubuntu/linux-riscv<6.17.0-22.22.1

6.17.0-22.22.1

ubuntu/linux-vmware*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.112~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-173.183~20.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1097.100~20.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.104~20.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-173.183~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1055.55~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1100.106~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1097.101~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-173.183
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1109.118
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1059.65~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1109.118.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.112
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.57~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1099.105
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1086.94
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-110.110~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1097.100
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.51~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.104
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1095.100
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-173.183
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-110.110.1~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1098.99
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.54~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1055.55
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1044.44
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1100.106
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.50~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1097.100
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-110.110~22.04.1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1067.71
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1086.88
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1094.96
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1102.111
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1047.48~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1109.118+fips1
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-173.183+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.112+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-110.110
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1012.12~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.60
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1013.13~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.65
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1039.42
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.57
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1012.12~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1050.56
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1037.40
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-22.22~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.51
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-110.110.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.54
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1018.18
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.54.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1022.22
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Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1020.20
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.50
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1011.11~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.56
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-22.22.1~24.04.1
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Fixed in 6.8.0-1028.29
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Fixed in 6.8.0-1017.21
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Fixed in 6.8.0-2042.43
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Fixed in 6.8.1-1047.48
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1010.11~24.04.1
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Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55+fips1
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Fixed in 6.8.0-1053.59+fips1
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Fixed in 6.8.0-110.110+fips2
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Fixed in 6.8.0-1054.57+fips1
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Fixed in 6.17.0-22.22
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1012.12
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1013.13
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1012.12
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1011.11
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1013.13
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Fixed in 6.17.0-1010.11
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Fixed in 6.17.0-22.22.1

Event History

Jan 13, 2026

CVE Published

via OSV·04:16 PM

Data Sourced

via OSV·04:16 PM

DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Event

via OSV·04:16 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

Which systems are exposed to this issue?

Systems using the affected Ubuntu Linux kernel packages are exposed when they use IPv4 error routes, such as blackhole routes, that reference a nexthop object. IPv6 is not affected.

What sequence triggers the reference leak?

A privileged local user or process must create an IPv4 error route associated with a nexthop object and then delete that nexthop object. The stale error route can retain references to both the deleted nexthop object and its device.

What is the operational impact?

The retained device reference can prevent the associated network device from being freed when it is deleted, causing the kernel to wait for the device to become free. The reported impact is an availability issue rather than loss of confidentiality or integrity.

How can administrators identify a potentially affected configuration?

Check for IPv4 error routes, including blackhole routes, that use a nexthop ID, particularly where the referenced nexthop has been deleted. A device deletion that stalls with an unregister_netdevice message and a nonzero usage count is consistent with the described leak.

UBUNTU-CVE-2025-71097: Medium severity ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge vulnerability

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Frequently Asked Questions

Which systems are exposed to this issue?

What sequence triggers the reference leak?

What is the operational impact?

How can administrators identify a potentially affected configuration?

Company

Resources

Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

Which systems are exposed to this issue?

What sequence triggers the reference leak?

What is the operational impact?

How can administrators identify a potentially affected configuration?