DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38553

Advisory lineage Upstream: 1 Downstream: 2
Upstream
CVE-2025-38553
Published: 19 Aug 2025, 06:15
Last modified:28 Apr 2026, 20:30

Vulnerability Summary

Overall Risk (default)
low
22/100
CVSS Score
5.5 MEDIUM
3.1 (osv_debian)
EPSS Score
No data
KEV
Not listed
Ransomware
No reports
Public exploits
None found
Dark Web
Not detected

Timeline

19 Aug 2025, 06:15
Published
Vulnerability first disclosed
28 Apr 2026, 20:30
Last Modified
Vulnerability information updated

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/sched: Restrict conditions for adding duplicating netems to qdisc tree netem_enqueue's duplication prevention logic breaks when a netem resides in a qdisc tree with other netems - this can lead to a soft lockup and OOM loop in netem_dequeue, as seen in [1]. Ensure that a duplicating netem cannot exist in a tree with other netems. Previous approaches suggested in discussions in chronological order: 1) Track duplication status or ttl in the sk_buff struct. Considered too specific a use case to extend such a struct, though this would be a resilient fix and address other previous and potential future DOS bugs like the one described in loopy fun [2]. 2) Restrict netem_enqueue recursion depth like in act_mirred with a per cpu variable. However, netem_dequeue can call enqueue on its child, and the depth restriction could be bypassed if the child is a netem. 3) Use the same approach as in 2, but add metadata in netem_skb_cb to handle the netem_dequeue case and track a packet's involvement in duplication. This is an overly complex approach, and Jamal notes that the skb cb can be overwritten to circumvent this safeguard. 4) Prevent the addition of a netem to a qdisc tree if its ancestral path contains a netem. However, filters and actions can cause a packet to change paths when re-enqueued to the root from netem duplication, leading us to the current solution: prevent a duplicating netem from inhabiting the same tree as other netems. [1] https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/8DuRWwfqjoRDLDmBMlIfbrsZg9Gx50DHJc1ilxsEBNe2D6NMoigR_eIRIG0LOjMc3r10nUUZtArXx4oZBIdUfZQrwjcQhdinnMis_0G7VEk=@willsroot.io/ [2] https://lwn.net/Articles/719297/

CVSS Metrics

  • v3.1•MEDIUM•Score: 5.5CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Systems

  • debian•linux

    < 5.10.244-1 | < 6.1.148-1 | < 6.12.43-1 | < 6.16.3-1

  • debian•linux-6.1

    < 6.1.153-1~deb11u1

References (1)