CVE-2025-39946: tls: make sure to abort the stream if headers are bogus
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
tls: make sure to abort the stream if headers are bogus
Normally we wait for the socket to buffer up the whole record
before we service it. If the socket has a tiny buffer, however,
we read out the data sooner, to prevent connection stalls.
Make sure that we abort the connection when we find out late
that the record is actually invalid. Retrying the parsing is
fine in itself but since we copy some more data each time
before we parse we can overflow the allocated skb space.
Constructing a scenario in which we're under pressure without
enough data in the socket to parse the length upfront is quite
hard. syzbot figured out a way to do this by serving us the header
in small OOB sends, and then filling in the recvbuf with a large
normal send.
Make sure that tls_rx_msg_size() aborts strp, if we reach
an invalid record there's really no way to recover.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in the Linux kernel TLS receive path can let malformed TLS record handling corrupt kernel memory. The CVE is rated critical because the published CVSS says network access, no privileges, and no user interaction are required. The source does not prove real-world exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent patching for Linux infrastructure, especially internet-facing or high-throughput TLS systems. The critical score reflects potential kernel-level impact, but exploitation evidence is limited to the provided syzbot-driven finding and CVE data.
Technical view
When a socket buffer is small, the kernel may process TLS record data before a full record is buffered. If the record header is later found invalid, retry behavior can copy additional data into allocated skb space and overflow it. The resolution aborts the stream when tls_rx_msg_size() detects an invalid record.
Likely exposure
Linux systems running affected kernel versions or branches with kernel TLS receive handling are the relevant exposure. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 6.0, 6.1.154, 6.6.108, 6.12.49, 6.16.9, and 6.17, but exact range semantics are incomplete here.
Exploitation context
The source says syzbot found a difficult pressure condition using fragmented header delivery and a larger normal send. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation or public weaponized exploit availability.
Researcher notes
Focus review on net/tls receive parsing, skb allocation boundaries, strparser abort behavior, and branch backports. The supplied source indicates recovery from invalid records is unsafe because repeated parsing can copy more data before record length validation completes.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
Track distribution vendor advisories for packaged kernel fixed versions.
Prioritize systems using kTLS or exposed TLS-heavy network services.
Consider reducing exposure of unneeded network services until patched.
Reboot into the patched kernel after installation.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across production and edge systems.
Check whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
Confirm systems rebooted into the patched kernel, not only installed it.
Review vendor advisories for branch-specific affected and fixed ranges.
Monitor kernel logs for TLS receive path anomalies or crashes.
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
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2025-39946 mapping review
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1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
6Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: yesTechnical Impact: total
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.