Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A memory-safety flaw in the Linux vmwgfx graphics driver may let a low-privileged local user compromise system confidentiality, integrity, or availability. It is high severity, but the supplied evidence does not show remote reachability or active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as an accelerated kernel-remediation item, especially for shared or locally accessible Linux systems. Prompt patching is appropriate, but the supplied evidence does not support an emergency response for internet-wide or unauthenticated remote exploitation.
Technical view
During vmw_execbuf_process, a validation duplicate-hashtable node can survive expected cleanup after its resource is prematurely destroyed. The node comes from an arena allocator cleared when processing ends, creating a use-after-free. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8: local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and potentially high impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on affected Linux kernels where the vmwgfx component is present and usable, particularly systems allowing untrusted local users or workloads. The supplied affected-version data is ambiguous, so distribution kernel versions cannot be classified reliably without vendor backport information.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires local access and low privileges; it does not describe an unauthenticated remote path. The supplied bundle marks KEV false and provides no evidence of public or active exploitation. Exploit availability is therefore unknown.
Researcher notes
The root issue is validation-lifetime handling: a duplicate-hashtable node escapes vmw_validation_drop_ht after premature resource destruction, then outlives its arena allocation. Stable-tree references indicate fixes across kernel branches, but the bundle does not map commits cleanly to affected or fixed distribution releases. No CWE or exploitation evidence is supplied.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable vmwgfx stable fix.
- Confirm the correct fixed build or backport with the Linux distribution vendor.
- Prioritize multi-user systems and hosts running untrusted local workloads.
- If upgrades are delayed, restrict untrusted local access and vmwgfx availability where operationally appropriate.
Validation and detection
- Inventory kernel builds and identify systems where vmwgfx is present or loaded.
- Map each installed build to vendor advisories or the applicable stable fix commit.
- Confirm updated systems boot into the remediated kernel rather than an older installed build.
- Run graphics and virtualization regression tests after remediation.
- Monitor vendor guidance because the supplied affected-version list is not sufficiently precise.
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
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2025-40111 mapping review
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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.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1822e5287b7dfa59d0af966756ebf1dc652b60eeCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb7165e5f3b3b10721ff70553583ad12e90e447aCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4c918f9d1ccccc0e092f43dcb2d8266f54d7340bCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a8eaca539708ca532747f606d231f70e684e8caCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/867bda5d95d36f10da398fd4409e21c7002b2332CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/655a2f29bfc21105c80bf8a7d7aafa6eca8b4496CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/65608e991c2d771c13404e5c7ae122ac3c3357a4CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dfe1323ab3c8a4dd5625ebfdba44dc47df84512aCVE reference, Linux
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.