Privileged kernel compromise via incorrect pointer adjustment
Published Oct 28, 2025 · Updated Oct 28, 2025
Incorrect verifier state tracking in Linux 6.17 through 6.17.2 allows local privileged users to compromise the kernel via a BPF_NEG program. The check_alu_op() path calls adjust_scalar_min_max_vals() for a pointer-valued destination, incorrectly applying scalar range adjustment during BPF_NEG verification. Loading the triggering eBPF program requires high privileges; successful exploitation can compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Summary
What happened
Incorrect verifier state tracking in Linux 6.17 through 6.17.2 allows local privileged users to compromise the kernel via a BPF_NEG program. The check_alu_op() path calls adjust_scalar_min_max_vals() for a pointer-valued destination, incorrectly applying scalar range adjustment during BPF_NEG verification. Loading the triggering eBPF program requires high privileges; successful exploitation can compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-40050
- Published
- Oct 28, 2025
- Updated
- Oct 28, 2025
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 28, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 28, 2025Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=6.17
- Affected versionversion=aced132599b3c8884c050218d4c48eef203678f6 <34904582b502a86fdb4d7984b12cacd2faabbe0d
- Affected versionversion=aced132599b3c8884c050218d4c48eef203678f6 <b9ef4963227246b9222e1559ddeec8e7af63e6c6
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
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Weakness, pattern, technique
No sourced classifications are available.
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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