Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-71085)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-71085). Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure. Exploitable via netlabelctl.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ipv6: BUG() in pskb_expand_head() as part of calipso_skbuff_setattr()
There exists a kernel oops caused by a BUG_ON(nhead < 0) at
net/core/skbuff.c:2232 in pskb_expand_head().
This bug is triggered as part of the calipso_skbuff_setattr()
routine when skb_cow() is passed headroom > INT_MAX
(i.e. (int)(skb_headroom(skb) + len_delta) < 0).
The root cause of the bug is due to an implicit integer cast in
__skb_cow(). The check (headroom > skb_headroom(skb)) is meant to ensure
that delta = headroom - skb_headroom(skb) is never negative, otherwise
we will trigger a BUG_ON in pskb_expand_head(). However, if
headroom > INT_MAX and delta <= -NET_SKB_PAD, the check passes, delta
becomes negative, and pskb_expand_head() is passed a negative value for
nhead.
Fix the trigger condition in calipso_skbuff_setattr(). Avoid passing
"negative" headroom sizes to skb_cow() within calipso_skbuff_setattr()
by only using skb_cow() to grow headroom.
PoC:
Using netlabelctl tool:
netlabelctl map del default
netlabelctl calipso add pass doi:7
netlabelctl map add default address:0::1/128 protocol:calipso,7
Then run the following PoC:
int fd = socket(AF_INET6, SOCK_DGRAM, IPPROTO_UDP);
// setup msghdr
int cmsg_size = 2;
int cmsg_len = 0x60;
struct msghdr msg;
struct sockaddr_in6 dest_addr;
struct cmsghdr * cmsg = (struct cmsghdr *) calloc(1,…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD GitHub Advisory
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-71085 has been found in Linux kernel.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like netlabelctl over the network to misuse the product.
Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure. CVSS score: 7.5/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2025-71085" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-71085 (Linux kernel) — CWE-617 / CVSS v3 7.5
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / unauthenticated / no user interaction
Attack surface: netlabelctl
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
A vulnerability (CWE-617) exists in Linux kernel. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via netlabelctl without authentication.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel. Attack surface: netlabelctl.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.5/10). Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2025-71085 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.1.161-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2025-71085 linux Fixed in: 5.10.249-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-71085 linux-azure
References
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- web cert-portal.siemens.com
- web nvd.nist.gov
- web github.com
- web cert-portal.siemens.com