CVE-2025-40251

Kernel memory leak via uncleared devlink parent pointer

Published Dec 4, 2025 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Improper reference-count handling in Linux and RUGGEDCOM RST2428P builds allows local users to consume unreclaimed kernel memory. devl_rate_nodes_destroy calls the driver parent-set operation and decrements the parent refcount but fails to clear devlink_rate->parent, leaving a dangling pointer that is decremented again during rate-object destruction. Triggering the demonstrated netdevsim or mlx5 paths requires local low-privileged access and configured devlink rate objects; the resulting refcount error leaks memory and can interrupt service.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper reference-count handling in Linux and RUGGEDCOM RST2428P builds allows local users to consume unreclaimed kernel memory. devl_rate_nodes_destroy calls the driver parent-set operation and decrements the parent refcount but fails to clear devlink_rate->parent, leaving a dangling pointer that is decremented again during rate-object destruction. Triggering the demonstrated netdevsim or mlx5 paths requires local low-privileged access and configured devlink rate objects; the resulting refcount error leaks memory and can interrupt service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-40251
Published
Dec 4, 2025
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-911, T1499
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 4, 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=5.14
  2. Affected versionversion=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <542f45486f1ce2d2dde75bd85aca0389ef7046c3
  3. Affected versionversion=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <715d9cda646a8a38ea8b2bb5afb679a7464055e2
  4. Affected versionversion=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <90e51e20bcec9bff5b2421ce1bd95704764655f5
  5. Affected versionversion=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <c70df6c17d389cc743f0eb30160e2d6bc6910db8
  6. Affected versionversion=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <f94c1a114ac209977bdf5ca841b98424295ab1f0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.14; version=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <542f45486f1ce2d2dde75bd85aca0389ef7046c3; version=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <715d9cda646a8a38ea8b2bb5afb679a7464055e2; version=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <90e51e20bcec9bff5b2421ce1bd95704764655f5; version=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <c70df6c17d389cc743f0eb30160e2d6bc6910db8; version=d7555984507822458b32a6405881038241d140be <f94c1a114ac209977bdf5ca841b98424295ab1f0
Siemens · RUGGEDCOM RST2428Pversion=0 <V4.0

Published CVSS scores

7.1Siemens ProductCERTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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

CWE-911Improper Update of Reference Count
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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