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CVE Record

CVE-2025-37820: xen-netfront: handle NULL returned by xdp_convert_buff_to_frame()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xen-netfront: handle NULL returned by xdp_convert_buff_to_frame() The function xdp_convert_buff_to_frame() may return NULL if it fails to correctly convert the XDP buffer into an XDP frame due to memory constraints, internal errors, or invalid data. Failing to check for NULL may lead to a NULL pointer dereference if the result is used later in processing, potentially causing crashes, data corruption, or undefined behavior. On XDP redirect failure, the associated page must be released explicitly if it was previously retained via get_page(). Failing to do so may result in a memory leak, as the pages reference count is not decremented.

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux Xen virtual-network driver flaw can crash affected systems when an XDP buffer conversion fails and its NULL result is reused. A related error path can leak memory. The assessed impact is primarily service availability, potentially disrupting Xen guests handling network traffic.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority availability issue for Xen-based infrastructure, especially critical networked guests using XDP. Patch through supported distribution channels after confirming exposure. Organizations without Xen, xen-netfront, or the relevant XDP path have materially lower likely exposure, subject to inventory validation.

Technical view

The xen-netfront XDP path does not safely handle NULL from xdp_convert_buff_to_frame(). Subsequent processing can dereference the NULL pointer, while XDP redirect failure may leave a retained page reference unreleased. The supplied CVSS 3.1 score is 7.5, with network reachability and high availability impact but no stated confidentiality or integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on affected Linux kernels running Xen guests that use xen-netfront and exercise XDP processing. The bundle identifies affected releases beginning with 5.9 and several later release points, but does not provide enough context to translate that list reliably across distribution-specific kernels.

Exploitation context

The supplied record does not establish active exploitation, and CVE-2025-37820 is not marked as CISA KEV. Its network CVSS vector suggests remote reachability without privileges or user interaction, but the bundle provides no proven attack scenario, public exploit confirmation, or prerequisites beyond the affected driver path.

Researcher notes

The fix addresses two failure-handling defects: unchecked conversion failure and missing page release after redirect failure. The record mentions crashes, possible data corruption, and undefined behavior, although the CVSS vector scores only availability. Exact vulnerable-to-fixed version boundaries and practical remote trigger conditions remain insufficiently documented in the supplied bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a supported vendor kernel containing the relevant Linux stable fix.
  • Review Linux distribution advisories for corrected package versions and reboot requirements.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or availability-critical Xen guests using xen-netfront and XDP.
  • If patching is delayed, consult vendor guidance for safe workload-specific mitigations.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Xen guest kernel builds and determine whether xen-netfront is active.
  • Identify whether XDP programs or redirect processing use the xen-netfront interface.
  • Compare exact distribution kernel packages against vendor advisories and referenced stable commits.
  • After updating, confirm the corrected kernel is running and monitor for crashes or abnormal memory growth.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2025-37820 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-37820Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux6c5aa6fc4defc2a0977a2c59e4710d50fa1e834c, 6c5aa6fc4defc2a0977a2c59e4710d50fa1e834c, 6c5aa6fc4defc2a0977a2c59e4710d50fa1e834c, 6c5aa6fc4defc2a0977a2c59e4710d50fa1e834c, 6c5aa6fc4defc2a0977a2c59e4710d50fa1e834cunaffected
LinuxLinux5.9, 0, 6.1.136, 6.6.89, 6.12.26, 6.14.5, 6.15affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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