CVE-2025-38616: tls: handle data disappearing from under the TLS ULP

Published Aug 22, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

tls: handle data disappearing from under the TLS ULP

TLS expects that it owns the receive queue of the TCP socket. This cannot be guaranteed in case the reader of the TCP socket entered before the TLS ULP was installed, or uses some non-standard read API (eg. zerocopy ones). Replace the WARNON() and a buggy early exit (which leaves anchor pointing to a freed skb) with real error handling. Wipe the parsing state and tell the reader to retry.

We already reload the anchor every time we (re)acquire the socket lock, so the only condition we need to avoid is an out of bounds read (not having enough bytes in the socket for previously parsed record len).

If some data was read from under TLS but there's enough in the queue we'll reload and decrypt what is most likely not a valid TLS record. Leading to some undefined behavior from TLS perspective (corrupting a stream? missing an alert? missing an attack?) but no kernel crash should take place.

Affected Software

6 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.0<6.6.103
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.43
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.15.11
Linux Linux kernel>=6.16<6.16.2
Linux Linux kernel=6.17-rc1

Event History

Aug 22, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:01 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:01 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38616?

CVE-2025-38616 has been classified as a moderate severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38616?

To fix CVE-2025-38616, update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version where the vulnerability has been resolved.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-38616?

CVE-2025-38616 is a data handling vulnerability related to the TLS user-level protocol in the Linux kernel.

4

Which systems are affected by CVE-2025-38616?

CVE-2025-38616 affects various versions of the Linux kernel that utilize the TLS user-level protocol.

5

Is CVE-2025-38616 publicly known?

Yes, CVE-2025-38616 is a publicly documented vulnerability and is listed in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database.

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