CVE-2025-38572

CVE-2025-38572 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: reject malicious packets in ipv6_gso_segment() syzbot was able to craft a packet with very long IPv6 extension headers leading to an overflow of skb->transport_header. This 16bit field has a limited range. Add skb_reset_transport_header_careful() helper and use it from ipv6_gso_segment() WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 5871 at ./include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 skb_reset_transport_header include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 [inline] WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 5871 at ./include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 ipv6_gso_segment+0x15e2/0x21e0 net/ipv6/ip6_offload.c:151 Modules linked in: CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 5871 Comm: syz-executor211 Not tainted 6.16.0-rc6-syzkaller-g7abc678e3084 #0 PREEMPT(full) Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 07/12/2025 RIP: 0010:skb_reset_transport_header include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 [inline] RIP: 0010:ipv6_gso_segment+0x15e2/0x21e0 net/ipv6/ip6_offload.c:151 Call Trace: <TASK> skb_mac_gso_segment+0x31c/0x640 net/core/gso.c:53 nsh_gso_segment+0x54a/0xe10 net/nsh/nsh.c:110 skb_mac_gso_segment+0x31c/0x640 net/core/gso.c:53 __skb_gso_segment+0x342/0x510 net/core/gso.c:124 skb_gso_segment include/net/gso.h:83 [inline] validate_xmit_skb+0x857/0x11b0 net/core/dev.c:3950 validate_xmit_skb_list+0x84/0x120 net/core/dev.c:4000 sch_direct_xmit+0xd3/0x4b0 net/sched/sch_generic.c:329 __dev_xmit_skb net/core/dev.c:4102 [inline] __dev_queue_xmit+0x17b6/0x3a70 net/core/dev.c:4679

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38572?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: reject malicious packets in ipv6_gso_segment() syzbot was able to craft a packet with very long IPv6 extension headers leading to an overflow of skb->transport_header. This 16bit field has a limited range. Add skb_reset_transport_header_careful() helper and use it from ipv6_gso_segment() WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 5871 at ./include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 skb_reset_transport_header include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 [inline] WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 5871 at ./include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 ipv6_gso_segment+0x15e2/0x21e0 net/ipv6/ip6_offload.c:151 Modules linked in: CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 5871 Comm: syz-executor211 Not tainted 6.16.0-rc6-syzkaller-g7abc678e3084 #0 PREEMPT(full) Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 07/12/2025 RIP: 0010:skb_reset_transport_header include/linux/skbuff.h:3032 [inline] RIP: 0010:ipv6_gso_segment+0x15e2/0x21e0 net/ipv6/ip6_offload.c:151 Call Trace: <TASK> skb_mac_gso_segment+0x31c/0x640 net/core/gso.c:53 nsh_gso_segment+0x54a/0xe10 net/nsh/nsh.c:110 skb_mac_gso_segment+0x31c/0x640 net/core/gso.c:53 __skb_gso_segment+0x342/0x510 net/core/gso.c:124 skb_gso_segment include/net/gso.h:83 [inline] validate_xmit_skb+0x857/0x11b0 net/core/dev.c:3950 validate_xmit_skb_list+0x84/0x120 net/core/dev.c:4000 sch_direct_xmit+0xd3/0x4b0 net/sched/sch_generic.c:329 __dev_xmit_skb net/core/dev.c:4102 [inline] __dev_queue_xmit+0x17b6/0x3a70 net/core/dev.c:4679
How severe is CVE-2025-38572?
CVE-2025-38572 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-38572 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (8th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2025-38572?
CVE-2025-38572 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38572?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2025-38572 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2025-38572 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-26102.
When was CVE-2025-38572 published?
CVE-2025-38572 was published on 2025-08-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

More vulnerabilities in Linux Linux Kernel

All CVEs affecting Linux Linux Kernel →