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CVE Record

CVE-2025-71157: RDMA/core: always drop device refcount in ib_del_sub_device_and_put()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: RDMA/core: always drop device refcount in ib_del_sub_device_and_put() Since nldev_deldev() (introduced by commit 060c642b2ab8 ("RDMA/nldev: Add support to add/delete a sub IB device through netlink") grabs a reference using ib_device_get_by_index() before calling ib_del_sub_device_and_put(), we need to drop that reference before returning -EOPNOTSUPP error.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel RDMA reference-counting flaw. In a sub-device deletion error path, the kernel could fail to release a device reference. The public record does not state confirmed exploitation, a CVSS score, or a clear business impact such as privilege escalation or data exposure.

Executive priority

Treat as a kernel maintenance item unless your environment depends on RDMA. There is not enough public evidence to justify emergency response, but kernel owners should confirm exposure and align updates with normal patch cycles.

Technical view

RDMA/core function ib_del_sub_device_and_put() did not always drop a reference acquired by nldev_deldev() through ib_device_get_by_index() before returning -EOPNOTSUPP. The fix ensures the reference is released on that path. The evidence points to a resource/lifetime-management bug in RDMA sub-device handling.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernels where RDMA core and sub-IB device netlink functionality are present or usable. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions and stable commit references but does not identify distributions, configurations, or reachable attack prerequisites.

Exploitation context

The bundle reports KEV false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation, public exploit code, or weaponization. The trigger context involves RDMA netlink sub-device deletion behavior, but the sources do not document attacker privileges, locality, or practical impact.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability detail, and distribution mapping. Analysis should focus on the RDMA nldev_deldev() path, the -EOPNOTSUPP return, and whether unreleased device references can accumulate or affect object lifetime in reachable configurations.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux or distribution vendor guidance for fixed kernel packages.
  • Prioritize kernels containing the listed stable fixes.
  • Inventory systems using RDMA, InfiniBand, or related kernel modules.
  • If RDMA is unused, consider disabling it under vendor guidance.
  • Track vendor advisories for impact and severity clarification.

Validation and detection

  • Compare running kernel builds against vendor fixed versions.
  • Confirm whether RDMA core functionality is installed, loaded, or required.
  • Review kernel package changelogs for the referenced stable commits.
  • Check vulnerability scanners for CVE-2025-71157 coverage updates.
  • Document affected hosts pending vendor severity clarification.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

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

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

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CVE-2025-71157 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
0ADP providers
4Source links

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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxbca51197620a257e2954be99b16f05115c3b2630, bca51197620a257e2954be99b16f05115c3b2630, bca51197620a257e2954be99b16f05115c3b2630unaffected
LinuxLinux6.11, 0, 6.12.64, 6.18.4, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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