CVE-2025-39758: RDMA/siw: Fix the sendmsg byte count in siw_tcp_sendpages
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
RDMA/siw: Fix the sendmsg byte count in siw_tcp_sendpages
Ever since commit c2ff29e99a76 ("siw: Inline do_tcp_sendpages()"),
we have been doing this:
static int siw_tcp_sendpages(struct socket *s, struct page **page, int offset,
size_t size)
[...]
/* Calculate the number of bytes we need to push, for this page
* specifically */
size_t bytes = min_t(size_t, PAGE_SIZE - offset, size);
/* If we can't splice it, then copy it in, as normal */
if (!sendpage_ok(page[i]))
msg.msg_flags &= ~MSG_SPLICE_PAGES;
/* Set the bvec pointing to the page, with len $bytes */
bvec_set_page(&bvec, page[i], bytes, offset);
/* Set the iter to $size, aka the size of the whole sendpages (!!!) */
iov_iter_bvec(&msg.msg_iter, ITER_SOURCE, &bvec, 1, size);
try_page_again:
lock_sock(sk);
/* Sendmsg with $size size (!!!) */
rv = tcp_sendmsg_locked(sk, &msg, size);
This means we've been sending oversized iov_iters and tcp_sendmsg calls
for a while. This has a been a benign bug because sendpage_ok() always
returned true. With the recent slab allocator changes being slowly
introduced into next (that disallow sendpage on large kmalloc
allocations), we have recently hit out-of-bounds crashes, due to slight
differences in iov_iter behavior between the MSG_SPLICE_PAGES and
"regular" copy paths:
(MSG_SPLICE_PAGES)
skb_splice_from_iter
iov_iter_extract_pages
iov_iter_extract_bvec_pages
uses i->nr_segs to correctly stop in its tracks before OoB'ing everywhere
skb_splice_from_iter gets a "short" read
(!MSG_SPLICE_PAGES)
skb_copy_to_page_nocache copy=iov_iter_count
[...]
copy_from_iter
/* this doesn't help */
if (unlikely(iter->count < len))
len = iter->count;
iterate_bvec
... and we run off the bvecs
Fix this by properly setting the iov_iter's byte count, plus sending the
correct byte count to tcp_sendmsg_locked.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux Soft-iWARP RDMA networking bug can make the kernel process more data than a page descriptor contains, causing out-of-bounds access and crashes. The supplied record rates it critical, but the available evidence demonstrates crashes rather than confirmed compromise or data theft.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent on systems using Soft-iWARP, especially remotely reachable or high-availability hosts. Rapidly identify actual siw usage before broad emergency action. Patch exposed systems through supported distribution channels; maintain heightened monitoring because confirmed exploitation is not documented.
Technical view
siw_tcp_sendpages incorrectly passed the total operation size to a single-page iov_iter and tcp_sendmsg_locked call. When sendpage_ok() rejects a page and processing uses the regular copy path, iteration can run beyond the bvec boundary. The Linux fixes use the current page's byte count for both values.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels where the RDMA Soft-iWARP (siw) send path is present and exercised. Risk is particularly relevant when allocator behavior forces the non-splice copy path. The supplied version data is ambiguous, so distribution-specific kernel provenance must be checked.
Exploitation context
The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. It documents out-of-bounds kernel crashes. Whether attackers can reliably obtain confidentiality, integrity, or code-execution impact is not established by the supplied sources.
Researcher notes
The failure depends on a size mismatch between a one-page bvec and the total sendpages size. MSG_SPLICE_PAGES stops at available segments, while the regular copy path can overrun the bvec. The bundle supplies no CWE, exploitability analysis, attack prerequisites, or clear mapping between affected releases and individual fixes.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced Linux stable fix.
Prioritize systems actively using Soft-iWARP RDMA networking.
Consult distribution advisories for precise affected and fixed package versions.
If updating is delayed, assess whether siw can be disabled without disrupting required services.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernel versions, distribution package revisions, and custom kernel builds.
Determine whether the siw driver is available, loaded, configured, or actively used.
Verify the installed kernel includes an applicable referenced stable fix.
Review kernel logs for siw-related out-of-bounds faults or unexplained crashes.
After updating, confirm the running kernel matches the remediated package.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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