CVE-2025-40255

net: core: prevent NULL deref in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower()

Published Dec 4, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: core: prevent NULL deref in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower()

The ethtool tsconfig Netlink path can trigger a null pointer
dereference. A call chain such as:

tsconfig_prepare_data() ->
dev_get_hwtstamp_phylib() ->
vlan_hwtstamp_get() ->
generic_hwtstamp_get_lower() ->
generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower()

results in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower() being called with
kernel_cfg->ifr as NULL.

The generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower() function does not expect
a NULL ifr and dereferences it, leading to a system crash.

Fix this by adding a NULL check for kernel_cfg->ifr in
generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower(). If ifr is NULL, return -EINVAL.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8094-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8094-2 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8094-3 Linux kernel (Real-time) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8094-4 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8094-5 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8152-1 Linux kernel (OEM) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: core: prevent NULL deref in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower() The ethtool tsconfig Netlink path can trigger a null pointer dereference. A call chain such as: tsconfig_prepare_data() -> dev_get_hwtstamp_phylib() -> vlan_hwtstamp_get() -> generic_hwtstamp_get_lower() -> generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower() results in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower() being called with kernel_cfg->ifr as NULL. The generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower() function does not expect a NULL ifr and dereferences it, leading to a system crash. Fix this by adding a NULL check for kernel_cfg->ifr in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower(). If ifr is NULL, return -EINVAL.
Title net: core: prevent NULL deref in generic_hwtstamp_ioctl_lower()
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
May 11, 2026, 9:45 PM
Reserved
Apr 16, 2025, 7:20 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Dec 4, 2025, 4:16 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 7:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Dec 4, 2025, 12:00 AM