7.8High

Linux Linux Kernel

CVE-2025-38097

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: espintcp: remove encap socket caching to avoid reference leak The current scheme for caching the encap socket can lead to reference leaks when we try to delete the netns. The reference chain is: xfrm_state -> enacp_sk -> netns Since the encap socket is a userspace socket, it holds a reference on the netns. If we delete the espintcp state (through flush or individual delete) before removing the netns, the reference on the socket is dropped and the netns is correctly deleted. Otherwise, the netns may not be reachable anymore (if all processes within the ns have terminated), so we cannot delete the xfrm state to drop its reference on the socket. This patch results in a small (~2% in my tests) performance regression. A GC-type mechanism could be added for the socket cache, to clear references if the state hasn't been used "recently", but it's a lot more complex than just not caching the socket.

What this means for your business

  • It affects Linux Kernel. It matters if your company, or a supplier that handles your data, runs it.
  • An attacker can use it only with access to the machine itself, with an ordinary user login, and without anyone at your company clicking anything.
  • FIRST's prediction model gives it a 0.2% chance of attack attempts being seen in the next 30 days, ranking above 7% of all known flaws.

What to do

  1. 1Check whether your company or your suppliers run Linux Kernel, and which version. The affected versions are listed further down this page.
  2. 2If you do, apply the vendor's fix. A patch or vendor advisory has been published.

Not sure if your company is exposed?

Fastnexa’s certified penetration testers can check whether attackers could use this flaw, or others like it, against your websites, apps and network. The full test is free for our first 10 founding clients until 31 December 2026.

Scoring

CVSS
7.8 (v3.1)
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Assigned by
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

Dates

Published
2025-07-03
Last modified
2026-09-14
Sources
NVD

Affected products

  • Linux Linux Kernel5.6 - 6.1.141, 6.2 - 6.6.93, 6.7 - 6.12.31, 6.13 - 6.14.9, 6.15
  • Debian Debian Linux11.0

As listed in the NVD configuration data. Not a statement about your estate.

References