Local kernel compromise via VLAN 0 refcount imbalance
Published Jul 28, 2025 · Updated Aug 5, 2026
A VLAN refcount flaw in the Linux kernel allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through network-namespace configuration. The 8021q event handler removes VLAN 0 according to the current rx-vlan-filter setting instead of tracking whether it added that entry, causing a leak or premature free. A low-privileged user with namespace-relative CAP_NET_ADMIN can drive the deterministic transition, leading to heap disclosure, control-flow hijacking, a crash, or a persistent networking hang.
Summary
What happened
A VLAN refcount flaw in the Linux kernel allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through network-namespace configuration. The 8021q event handler removes VLAN 0 according to the current rx-vlan-filter setting instead of tracking whether it added that entry, causing a leak or premature free. A low-privileged user with namespace-relative CAP_NET_ADMIN can drive the deterministic transition, leading to heap disclosure, control-flow hijacking, a crash, or a persistent networking hang.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-38470
- Published
- Jul 28, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 5, 2026
- Vendor
- Siemens
- Product
- SIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP
- Classifications
- CWE-20, T1068, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 28, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=V3.1.5 <*
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo