CVE-2025-39840: audit: fix out-of-bounds read in audit_compare_dname_path()

Published Sep 19, 2025
·
Updated

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

audit: fix out-of-bounds read in auditcomparednamepath()

When a watch on dir=/ is combined with an fsnotify event for a single-character name directly under / (e.g., creating /a), an out-of-bounds read can occur in auditcomparednamepath().

The helper parentlen() returns 1 for "/". In auditcomparednamepath(), when parentlen equals the full path length (1), the code sets p = path + 1 and pathlen = 1 - 1 = 0. The subsequent loop then dereferences p[pathlen - 1] (i.e., p[-1]), causing an out-of-bounds read.

Fix this by adding a pathlen 0 check to the while loop condition to prevent the out-of-bounds access.

[PM: subject tweak, sign-off email fixes]

Other sources

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

audit: fix out-of-bounds read in auditcomparednamepath()

When a watch on dir=/ is combined with an fsnotify event for a single-character name directly under / (e.g., creating /a), an out-of-bounds read can occur in auditcomparednamepath().

The helper parentlen() returns 1 for "/". In auditcomparednamepath(), when parentlen equals the full path length (1), the code sets p = path + 1 and pathlen = 1 - 1 = 0. The subsequent loop then dereferences p[pathlen - 1] (i.e., p[-1]), causing an out-of-bounds read.

Fix this by adding a pathlen > 0 check to the while loop condition to prevent the out-of-bounds access.

[PM: subject tweak, sign-off email fixes]

NVD

Affected Software

10 affected components
Linux Kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.14<6.16.6
Linux Linux kernel=6.17-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.17-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.17-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.17-rc4
IBM Verify Identity Access<=11.0 - 11.0.2
IBM Security Verify Access<=10.0 - 10.0.9.1
IBM Verify Identity Access Container<=11.0 - 11.0.2
IBM Security Verify Access Container<=10.0 - 10.0.9.1

Event History

Sep 19, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:26 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:26 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:02 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jul 8, 2026
Data Sourced
via IBM·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-39840?

CVE-2025-39840 has been classified as a medium severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-39840?

To fix CVE-2025-39840, ensure that your Linux kernel is updated to the latest stable version that includes the patch for this vulnerability.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-39840?

CVE-2025-39840 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability found in the Linux kernel's audit subsystem.

4

Which software versions are affected by CVE-2025-39840?

CVE-2025-39840 affects various versions of the Linux kernel prior to the release that includes the patch for this vulnerability.

5

What kind of exploits can CVE-2025-39840 lead to?

CVE-2025-39840 could potentially allow attackers to read sensitive memory data due to the out-of-bounds read condition.

Contact

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