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CVE Record

CVE-2025-37998: openvswitch: Fix unsafe attribute parsing in output_userspace()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: openvswitch: Fix unsafe attribute parsing in output_userspace() This patch replaces the manual Netlink attribute iteration in output_userspace() with nla_for_each_nested(), which ensures that only well-formed attributes are processed.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in the Linux kernel’s Open vSwitch code can mishandle malformed networking attributes. A local user with limited privileges may be able to trigger serious compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Systems using the Open vSwitch kernel datapath warrant prompt review and vendor-supported kernel updates.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority infrastructure patch, especially where untrusted users or workloads share Linux hosts using Open vSwitch. It is not evidenced as actively exploited or remotely reachable, so prioritize based on local-access exposure rather than assuming an internet-wide emergency.

Technical view

The vulnerable output_userspace() path manually iterates nested Netlink attributes without reliably rejecting malformed structures. Linux stable fixes replace this logic with nla_for_each_nested(), restricting processing to well-formed attributes. CVSS 3.1 rates the issue 7.8: local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high impact across all three security objectives.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux hosts using the Open vSwitch kernel datapath where a low-privileged local actor can reach the affected path. The supplied version data does not clearly express complete vulnerable ranges, so kernel package provenance and vendor status must be checked rather than inferred from version numbers alone.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector indicates a local, low-privilege attack rather than direct unauthenticated network exploitation. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation. Public disclosure through ZDI is referenced, but exploit availability is not established by the supplied evidence.

Researcher notes

The source bundle identifies multiple Linux stable commits but presents ambiguous affected-version entries, including repeated commit identifiers and numbers without range operators. Exact branch boundaries cannot be reconstructed safely from this bundle. The confirmed code-level change is replacement of manual nested-attribute parsing in output_userspace() with validated nested Netlink iteration.

Mitigation direction

  • Install the vendor-supported kernel update that incorporates the applicable Linux stable fix.
  • Prioritize multi-user, container, virtualization, and network platforms using the Open vSwitch kernel datapath.
  • If immediate patching is impossible, restrict untrusted local access and unnecessary Open vSwitch usage.
  • Consult distribution advisories for package-specific fixed versions and required reboot instructions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and identify hosts loading or using the Open vSwitch kernel datapath.
  • Map installed kernel packages to distribution advisories instead of relying solely on upstream version strings.
  • Confirm the running kernel includes the applicable stable commit after updating and rebooting.
  • Review local-access boundaries and investigate unexpected crashes involving Open vSwitch or Netlink processing.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2025-37998 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
12Source 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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-37998Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
LinuxLinuxccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016, ccb1352e76cff0524e7ccb2074826a092dd13016unaffected
LinuxLinux3.3, 0, 5.4.294, 5.10.238, 5.15.183, 6.1.139, 6.6.91, 6.12.29, 6.14.7, 6.15affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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