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

xfrm: delete x->tunnel as we delete x

The ipcomp fallback tunnels currently get deleted (from the various
lists and hashtables) as the last user state that needed that fallback
is destroyed (not deleted). If a reference to that user state still
exists, the fallback state will remain on the hashtables/lists,
triggering the WARN in xfrm_state_fini. Because of those remaining
references, the fix in commit f75a2804da39 ("xfrm: destroy xfrm_state
synchronously on net exit path") is not complete.

We recently fixed one such situation in TCP due to defered freeing of
skbs (commit 9b6412e6979f ("tcp: drop secpath at the same time as we
currently drop dst")). This can also happen due to IP reassembly: skbs
with a secpath remain on the reassembly queue until netns
destruction. If we can't guarantee that the queues are flushed by the
time xfrm_state_fini runs, there may still be references to a (user)
xfrm_state, preventing the timely deletion of the corresponding
fallback state.

Instead of chasing each instance of skbs holding a secpath one by one,
this patch fixes the issue directly within xfrm, by deleting the
fallback state as soon as the last user state depending on it has been
deleted. Destruction will still happen when the final reference is
dropped.

A separate lockdep class for the fallback state is required since
we're going to lock x->tunnel while x is locked.
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: delete x->tunnel as we delete x The ipcomp fallback tunnels currently get deleted (from the various lists and hashtables) as the last user state that needed that fallback is destroyed (not deleted). If a reference to that user state still exists, the fallback state will remain on the hashtables/lists, triggering the WARN in xfrm_state_fini. Because of those remaining references, the fix in commit f75a2804da39 ("xfrm: destroy xfrm_state synchronously on net exit path") is not complete. We recently fixed one such situation in TCP due to defered freeing of skbs (commit 9b6412e6979f ("tcp: drop secpath at the same time as we currently drop dst")). This can also happen due to IP reassembly: skbs with a secpath remain on the reassembly queue until netns destruction. If we can't guarantee that the queues are flushed by the time xfrm_state_fini runs, there may still be references to a (user) xfrm_state, preventing the timely deletion of the corresponding fallback state. Instead of chasing each instance of skbs holding a secpath one by one, this patch fixes the issue directly within xfrm, by deleting the fallback state as soon as the last user state depending on it has been deleted. Destruction will still happen when the final reference is dropped. A separate lockdep class for the fallback state is required since we're going to lock x->tunnel while x is locked.
Title xfrm: delete x->tunnel as we delete x
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2025-12-04T12:38:32.517Z

Reserved: 2025-04-16T07:20:57.179Z

Link: CVE-2025-40215

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2025-12-04T13:15:48.473

Modified: 2025-12-04T17:15:08.283

Link: CVE-2025-40215

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2025-12-04T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2025-40215 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

No weakness.