CVE-2025-71113: crypto: af_alg - zero initialize memory allocated via sock_kmalloc
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
crypto: af_alg - zero initialize memory allocated via sock_kmalloc
Several crypto user API contexts and requests allocated with
sock_kmalloc() were left uninitialized, relying on callers to
set fields explicitly. This resulted in the use of uninitialized
data in certain error paths or when new fields are added in the
future.
The ACVP patches also contain two user-space interface files:
algif_kpp.c and algif_akcipher.c. These too rely on proper
initialization of their context structures.
A particular issue has been observed with the newly added
'inflight' variable introduced in af_alg_ctx by commit:
67b164a871af ("crypto: af_alg - Disallow multiple in-flight AIO requests")
Because the context is not memset to zero after allocation,
the inflight variable has contained garbage values. As a result,
af_alg_alloc_areq() has incorrectly returned -EBUSY randomly when
the garbage value was interpreted as true:
https://github.com/gregkh/linux/blame/master/crypto/af_alg.c#L1209
The check directly tests ctx->inflight without explicitly
comparing against true/false. Since inflight is only ever set to
true or false later, an uninitialized value has triggered
-EBUSY failures. Zero-initializing memory allocated with
sock_kmalloc() ensures inflight and other fields start in a known
state, removing random issues caused by uninitialized data.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can make crypto user API state start with random memory values. The observed result is unreliable failures, not confirmed compromise. Because the CVE has no CVSS score and is not in KEV, urgency should be based on affected kernel exposure and vendor patch availability.
Executive priority
Handle through normal kernel patch management unless your environment depends heavily on affected Linux crypto APIs or untrusted local workloads. Escalate if a vendor advisory identifies critical product exposure. Current evidence does not support emergency response based on exploitation.
Technical view
AF_ALG contexts and requests allocated with sock_kmalloc() were not zero-initialized. The source notes an uninitialized af_alg_ctx inflight flag could randomly be treated as true, causing af_alg_alloc_areq() to return -EBUSY. Stable kernel commits address this by zero-initializing allocated memory.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to systems running affected Linux kernel versions or vendor products using those kernels. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 2.6.38, 5.10.248, 5.15.198, 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.64, 6.18.3, and 6.19 as affected.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, public exploit availability, or KEV listing. The documented impact is random -EBUSY behavior from uninitialized kernel memory in AF_ALG paths. Treat exploitability and security impact as not fully characterized from this bundle.
Researcher notes
Key evidence is the kernel resolution text: sock_kmalloc allocations left structures uninitialized, with inflight garbage values causing random busy errors. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE mapping, exploit details, and full per-branch fixed-version metadata, so conclusions should remain conservative.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux stable or distribution kernel updates containing the referenced AF_ALG fixes.
Check vendor advisories for appliance or embedded products using Linux kernels.
Prioritize systems that run untrusted local workloads or crypto API consumers.
Track Siemens guidance where Siemens products are in scope.
Validation and detection
Inventory deployed Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and embedded systems.
Compare kernel packages against vendor advisories and referenced stable commit IDs.
Review distribution changelogs for CVE-2025-71113 or AF_ALG zero-initialization fixes.
Investigate unexplained AF_ALG -EBUSY failures as possible symptoms, not proof.
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 · low confidence lookup
CVE-2025-71113 mapping review
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