CVE-2025-38525

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rxrpc: Fix irq-disabled in local_bh_enable() The rxrpc_assess_MTU_size() function calls down into the IP layer to find out the MTU size for a route. When accepting an incoming call, this is called from rxrpc_new_incoming_call() which holds interrupts disabled across the code that calls down to it. Unfortunately, the IP layer uses local_bh_enable() which, config dependent, throws a warning if IRQs are enabled: WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 5544 at kernel/softirq.c:387 __local_bh_enable_ip+0x43/0xd0 ... RIP: 0010:__local_bh_enable_ip+0x43/0xd0 ... Call Trace: <TASK> rt_cache_route+0x7e/0xa0 rt_set_nexthop.isra.0+0x3b3/0x3f0 __mkroute_output+0x43a/0x460 ip_route_output_key_hash+0xf7/0x140 ip_route_output_flow+0x1b/0x90 rxrpc_assess_MTU_size.isra.0+0x2a0/0x590 rxrpc_new_incoming_peer+0x46/0x120 rxrpc_alloc_incoming_call+0x1b1/0x400 rxrpc_new_incoming_call+0x1da/0x5e0 rxrpc_input_packet+0x827/0x900 rxrpc_io_thread+0x403/0xb60 kthread+0x2f7/0x310 ret_from_fork+0x2a/0x230 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 ... hardirqs last enabled at (23): _raw_spin_unlock_irq+0x24/0x50 hardirqs last disabled at (24): _raw_read_lock_irq+0x17/0x70 softirqs last enabled at (0): copy_process+0xc61/0x2730 softirqs last disabled at (25): rt_add_uncached_list+0x3c/0x90 Fix this by moving the call to rxrpc_assess_MTU_size() out of rxrpc_init_peer() and further up the stack where it can be done without interrupts disabled. It shouldn't be a problem for rxrpc_new_incoming_call() to do it after the locks are dropped as pmtud is going to be performed by the I/O thread - and we're in the I/O thread at this point.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2025-08-16 12:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-08-10 13:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-08-16 12:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-08-10 13:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 6.15.8
• Linux Kernel 6.16

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2025-38525.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-38525. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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