CVE-2025-39904

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm64: kexec: initialize kexec_buf struct in load_other_segments() Patch series "kexec: Fix invalid field access". The kexec_buf structure was previously declared without initialization. commit bf454ec31add ("kexec_file: allow to place kexec_buf randomly") added a field that is always read but not consistently populated by all architectures. This un-initialized field will contain garbage. This is also triggering a UBSAN warning when the uninitialized data was accessed: ------------[ cut here ]------------ UBSAN: invalid-load in ./include/linux/kexec.h:210:10 load of value 252 is not a valid value for type '_Bool' Zero-initializing kexec_buf at declaration ensures all fields are cleanly set, preventing future instances of uninitialized memory being used. An initial fix was already landed for arm64[0], and this patchset fixes the problem on the remaining arm64 code and on riscv, as raised by Mark. Discussions about this problem could be found at[1][2]. This patch (of 3): The kexec_buf structure was previously declared without initialization. commit bf454ec31add ("kexec_file: allow to place kexec_buf randomly") added a field that is always read but not consistently populated by all architectures. This un-initialized field will contain garbage. This is also triggering a UBSAN warning when the uninitialized data was accessed: ------------[ cut here ]------------ UBSAN: invalid-load in ./include/linux/kexec.h:210:10 load of value 252 is not a valid value for type '_Bool' Zero-initializing kexec_buf at declaration ensures all fields are cleanly set, preventing future instances of uninitialized memory being used.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-10-01
Last modified 2026-01-14
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-908

CVE-2025-39904 is classified as CWE-908

See CWE-908 on MITRE CWE for full details on this weakness type.

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.16 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.16.8, 6.17 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.16
Fixed in
✓ 6.16.8 6.16.x ✓ 6.17

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-39904 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-39904?

    CVE-2025-39904 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.16 onward and has been patched in 6.16.8 and 6.17. CVE-2025-39904 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-39904?

    CVE-2025-39904 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-2025-39904?

    Yes — CVE-2025-39904 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.16.8 and 6.17. If you are running Linux kernel 6.16 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-39904 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-39904 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.