CVE-2025-38588

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: prevent infinite loop in rt6_nlmsg_size() While testing prior patch, I was able to trigger an infinite loop in rt6_nlmsg_size() in the following place: list_for_each_entry_rcu(sibling, &f6i->fib6_siblings, fib6_siblings) { rt6_nh_nlmsg_size(sibling->fib6_nh, &nexthop_len); } This is because fib6_del_route() and fib6_add_rt2node() uses list_del_rcu(), which can confuse rcu readers, because they might no longer see the head of the list. Restart the loop if f6i->fib6_nsiblings is zero.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-08-19
Last modified 2026-01-07
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-835

CVE-2025-38588 is a Infinite Loop vulnerability

What is Infinite Loop?

The product contains an iteration that does not exit even when it should. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.1.128, 6.6.75, 6.12.2, 6.11.11, 6.13 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1, 6.17 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.1.128 ≥ 6.6.75 ≥ 6.12.2 ≥ 6.11.11 ≥ 6.13
Fixed in
✓ 6.1.148 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.102 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.42 6.12.x ✓ 6.15.10 6.15.x ✓ 6.16.1 6.16.x ✓ 6.17

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38588 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

6 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-38588?

    CVE-2025-38588 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as an Infinite Loop flaw (CWE-835) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.1.128 onward and has been patched in 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42 and others. CVE-2025-38588 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38588?

    CVE-2025-38588 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-38588?

    Yes — CVE-2025-38588 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.1.128 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-38588 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-38588 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Infinite Loop (CWE-835)?

    The product contains an iteration that does not exit even when it should. View CWE-835 on MITRE CWE →

Back to
All CVEs
View on
NVD / NIST