Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A use-after-free flaw in the Linux kernel's Marvell OcteonTX2 physical-function network driver can access an object after scheduling it for deletion. Successful exploitation could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The supplied CVSS assessment requires local access and low privileges, so exposure is concentrated on systems using the affected driver and flow-management path.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority, targeted kernel update rather than an internet-wide emergency. Promptly assess network appliances, servers, and virtualized hosts using OcteonTX2 hardware, especially where untrusted users or workloads have local access. Track remediation through verified running-kernel versions; current sources do not establish active exploitation.
Technical view
In otx2_tc_add_flow(), new_node was dereferenced after kfree_rcu(new_node, rcu) queued it for reclamation. The correction moves those dereferences before the deferred free. The supplied CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, scoring 7.8. No CWE is assigned in the bundle.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels with the octeontx2-pf driver present and the vulnerable traffic-control flow path reachable. The bundle lists affected releases across 5.14 through 6.17, but does not map each referenced fix commit to a specific distribution kernel. Confirm using vendor kernel metadata.
Exploitation context
The supplied record does not report active exploitation, and the CVE is not identified as being in KEV. The CVSS vector describes a local, low-complexity attack requiring low privileges and no user interaction. No public exploit evidence is included, so exploitation status should be treated as unconfirmed.
Researcher notes
The defect is a use-after-free ordering error involving RCU reclamation in otx2_tc_add_flow(). The stated fix reorders field access ahead of kfree_rcu(). Source data provides several stable-kernel commits but no branch-to-commit mapping here. Researchers should avoid assuming every listed version is vulnerable when vendors may have backported a fix.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix.
- Check distribution and appliance advisories for corrected package versions.
- Prioritize systems using OcteonTX2 networking and untrusted local workloads.
- Restrict local access and unnecessary traffic-control privileges until patched.
Validation and detection
- Inventory kernel versions and identify systems loading the octeontx2-pf driver.
- Determine whether affected systems use the driver's traffic-control flow functionality.
- Verify the installed kernel includes the applicable referenced stable commit.
- Confirm the replacement kernel is running after upgrade or reboot.
- Review vendor advisories because distribution version numbers may include backported fixes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2025-39978 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- 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
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9LinuxVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5723120423a753a220b8b2954b273838b9d7e74aCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/df2c071061ed52d2225d97b212d27ecedf456b8aCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c41b2941a024d4ec7c768e16ffb10a74b188fcedCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8a63f27c3a8a3714210d32b12fd0f16d0337414CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9c70e93ec5988ab07ad2a92d9f9d12867f02c56CVE reference, Linux
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.htmlCVE reference, siemens-SADP
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.