CVE-2025-38678

Kernel warning via duplicate netfilter device update

Published Sep 3, 2025 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Improper transaction handling in the Linux kernel allows local users to trigger a warning through duplicate netfilter device updates. The nf_tables update path accepts the same device twice in one chain or flowtable batch, while the netdev event path removes only the first match and leaves the duplicate device's hook unregistered. Reaching the path requires authority to alter network configuration; the published evidence demonstrates the warning and inconsistent hook state but does not establish a kernel crash.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper transaction handling in the Linux kernel allows local users to trigger a warning through duplicate netfilter device updates. The nf_tables update path accepts the same device twice in one chain or flowtable batch, while the netdev event path removes only the first match and leaves the duplicate device's hook unregistered. Reaching the path requires authority to alter network configuration; the published evidence demonstrates the warning and inconsistent hook state but does not establish a kernel crash.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-38678
Published
Sep 3, 2025
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1499.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 3, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.8
  2. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <0521e694d5b80899fba8695881a6349f9bc538cb
  3. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <3f358a66a04513311668ea4b40f5064e253d8386
  4. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <4681960bc0f4f8bcc782cbf2fd205f48ad314dfd
  5. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <4ce2a0c3b8497a66cfc25fc7ca3d087258a785d2
  6. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <cf23d531a9d496863aa4c5a0e2f71f0a23f3df3c
  7. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <cf5fb87fcdaaaafec55dcc0dc5a9e15ead343973
  8. Affected versionversion=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <d7615bde541f16517d6790412da6ec46fa8a4c1f

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.8; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <0521e694d5b80899fba8695881a6349f9bc538cb; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <3f358a66a04513311668ea4b40f5064e253d8386; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <4681960bc0f4f8bcc782cbf2fd205f48ad314dfd; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <4ce2a0c3b8497a66cfc25fc7ca3d087258a785d2; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <cf23d531a9d496863aa4c5a0e2f71f0a23f3df3c; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <cf5fb87fcdaaaafec55dcc0dc5a9e15ead343973; version=78d9f48f7f44431a25da2b46b3a8812f6ff2b981 <d7615bde541f16517d6790412da6ec46fa8a4c1f

Published CVSS scores

7.8LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

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

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Your stack

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