Linux: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
CVE-2025-38501 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions cb092fc3a62972a4aa47c9fe356c2c6a01cd840b, fa1c47af4ff641cf9197ecdb1f8240cbb30389c1, 7e5d91d3e6c62a9755b36f29c35288f06c3cd86b as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.18% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 83% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to cb092fc3a62972a4aa47c9fe356c2c6a01cd840b or fa1c47af4ff641cf9197ecdb1f8240cbb30389c1 or 7e5d91d3e6c62a9755b36f29c35288f06c3cd86b or f1ce9258bcbce2491f9f71f7882b6eed0b33ec65, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.1.148 or 6.6.102 or 6.12.42 or 6.15.10, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, cb092fc3a62972a4aa47c9fe356c2c6a01cd840b; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, fa1c47af4ff641cf9197ecdb1f8240cbb30389c1; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, 7e5d91d3e6c62a9755b36f29c35288f06c3cd86b; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, f1ce9258bcbce2491f9f71f7882b6eed0b33ec65; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, 6073afe64510c302b7a0683a01e32c012eff715d; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, e6bb9193974059ddbb0ce7763fa3882bd60d4dc3; 5.15 | cb092fc3a62972a4aa47c9fe356c2c6a01cd840b, fa1c47af4ff641cf9197ecdb1f8240cbb30389c1, 7e5d91d3e6c62a9755b36f29c35288f06c3cd86b, f1ce9258bcbce2491f9f71f7882b6eed0b33ec65, 6073afe64510c302b7a0683a01e32c012eff715d, e6bb9193974059ddbb0ce7763fa3882bd60d4dc3 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 5.15 up to, but not including, 6.1.148; 6.2 up to, but not including, 6.6.102; 6.7 up to, but not including, 6.12.42; 6.13 up to, but not including, 6.15.10; 6.16 up to, but not including, 6.16.1 | 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 11.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: limit repeated connections from clients with the same IP Repeated connections from clients with the same IP address may exhaust the max connections and prevent other normal client connections. This patch limit repeated connections from clients with the same IP.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
- Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.
More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6073afe64510c302b7a0683a01e32c012eff715d
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e5d91d3e6c62a9755b36f29c35288f06c3cd86b
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb092fc3a62972a4aa47c9fe356c2c6a01cd840b
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e6bb9193974059ddbb0ce7763fa3882bd60d4dc3
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f1ce9258bcbce2491f9f71f7882b6eed0b33ec65
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fa1c47af4ff641cf9197ecdb1f8240cbb30389c1
Third-party and government advisories
- github.com/keymaker-arch/KSMBDrainThird Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other references
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/09/15/2Mailing List
Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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