CVE-2025-68206: netfilter: nft_ct: add seqadj extension for natted connections
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nft_ct: add seqadj extension for natted connections
Sequence adjustment may be required for FTP traffic with PASV/EPSV modes.
due to need to re-write packet payload (IP, port) on the ftp control
connection. This can require changes to the TCP length and expected
seq / ack_seq.
The easiest way to reproduce this issue is with PASV mode.
Example ruleset:
table inet ftp_nat {
ct helper ftp_helper {
type "ftp" protocol tcp
l3proto inet
}
chain prerouting {
type filter hook prerouting priority 0; policy accept;
tcp dport 21 ct state new ct helper set "ftp_helper"
}
}
table ip nat {
chain prerouting {
type nat hook prerouting priority -100; policy accept;
tcp dport 21 dnat ip prefix to ip daddr map {
192.168.100.1 : 192.168.13.2/32 }
}
chain postrouting {
type nat hook postrouting priority 100 ; policy accept;
tcp sport 21 snat ip prefix to ip saddr map {
192.168.13.2 : 192.168.100.1/32 }
}
}
Note that the ftp helper gets assigned *after* the dnat setup.
The inverse (nat after helper assign) is handled by an existing
check in nf_nat_setup_info() and will not show the problem.
Topoloy:
+-------------------+ +----------------------------------+
| FTP: 192.168.13.2 | <-> | NAT: 192.168.13.3, 192.168.100.1 |
+-------------------+ +----------------------------------+
|
+-----------------------+
| Client: 192.168.100.2 |
+-----------------------+
ftp nat changes do not work as expected in this case:
Connected to 192.168.100.1.
[..]
ftp> epsv
EPSV/EPRT on IPv4 off.
ftp> ls
227 Entering passive mode (192,168,100,1,209,129).
421 Service not available, remote server has closed connection.
Kernel logs:
Missing nfct_seqadj_ext_add() setup call
WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 0 at net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_seqadj.c:41
[..]
__nf_nat_mangle_tcp_packet+0x100/0x160 [nf_nat]
nf_nat_ftp+0x142/0x280 [nf_nat_ftp]
help+0x4d1/0x880 [nf_conntrack_ftp]
nf_confirm+0x122/0x2e0 [nf_conntrack]
nf_hook_slow+0x3c/0xb0
..
Fix this by adding the required extension when a conntrack helper is assigned
to a connection that has a nat binding.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux networking flaw can disrupt FTP transfers passing through certain nftables NAT gateways. When the FTP helper is assigned after NAT setup, required TCP sequence adjustments may be missing, causing connection failures and kernel warnings. The documented impact is service availability; the supplied evidence does not indicate data theft or modification.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority reliability issue for affected network gateways, not a universal Linux emergency. Promptly identify systems combining nftables NAT and FTP helpers, then patch exposed production gateways during the next expedited maintenance window. Lower priority is reasonable where FTP helpers are absent or the vendor confirms the kernel unaffected.
Technical view
The nft_ct path could attach a conntrack FTP helper to an already NAT-bound connection without adding the sequence-adjustment extension. Payload rewriting for PASV or EPSV can then change TCP lengths without corresponding sequence and acknowledgement correction. The resolved kernel change adds that extension when assigning a helper to a NAT-bound connection.
Likely exposure
Exposure is concentrated in Linux systems performing nftables NAT with conntrack FTP helpers, particularly where NAT binding precedes helper assignment. Internet-facing gateways, firewalls, appliances, and embedded products using affected kernels merit review. The supplied version list is ambiguous, so distribution and appliance advisories should determine exact exposure.
Exploitation context
The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.5, reflecting remotely reachable, unauthenticated availability impact. However, exploitation requires the specific FTP-helper and NAT configuration described. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and supplies no evidence of active exploitation, public weaponization, confidentiality loss, or integrity loss.
Researcher notes
The failure occurs when helper assignment follows NAT setup; the inverse ordering is reportedly already handled. The source demonstrates FTP control-channel rewriting failure and a kernel warning, not memory corruption or privilege escalation. Exact affected and fixed release boundaries cannot be safely inferred from the bundle's mixed version entries; confirm against maintained vendor branches and cited commits.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel update containing the applicable stable fix.
Prioritize NAT gateways and appliances that process FTP through conntrack helpers.
Consult distribution or appliance guidance to map backported fixes accurately.
If patching is delayed, seek vendor-approved configuration mitigations for the FTP helper and NAT path.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernel versions on systems providing nftables NAT or firewall services.
Identify configurations using conntrack FTP helpers with NAT-bound connections.
Check kernel logs for the documented missing seqadj warning and related stack trace.
Review monitoring for unexplained PASV or EPSV FTP failures.
Confirm the installed vendor kernel includes the applicable stable fix.
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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