CVE-2025-71097

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: Fix reference count leak when using error routes with nexthop objects When a nexthop object is deleted, it is marked as dead and then fib_table_flush() is called to flush all the routes that are using the dead nexthop. The current logic in fib_table_flush() is to only flush error routes (e.g., blackhole) when it is called as part of network namespace dismantle (i.e., with flush_all=true). Therefore, error routes are not flushed when their nexthop object is deleted: # ip link add name dummy1 up type dummy # ip nexthop add id 1 dev dummy1 # ip route add 198.51.100.1/32 nhid 1 # ip route add blackhole 198.51.100.2/32 nhid 1 # ip nexthop del id 1 # ip route show blackhole 198.51.100.2 nhid 1 dev dummy1 As such, they keep holding a reference on the nexthop object which in turn holds a reference on the nexthop device, resulting in a reference count leak: # ip link del dev dummy1 [ 70.516258] unregister_netdevice: waiting for dummy1 to become free. Usage count = 2 Fix by flushing error routes when their nexthop is marked as dead. IPv6 does not suffer from this problem.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.1% 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

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-401

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 5.3
• Linux Kernel 6.19

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High