CVE-2025-40779

Kea crash upon interaction between specific client options and subnet selection

Published Aug 27, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
If a DHCPv4 client sends a request with some specific options, and Kea fails to find an appropriate subnet for the client, the `kea-dhcp4` process will abort with an assertion failure. This happens only if the client request is unicast directly to Kea; broadcast messages do not cause the problem.
This issue affects Kea versions 2.7.1 through 2.7.9, 3.0.0, and 3.1.0.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to the patched release most closely related to your current version of Kea: 3.0.1 or 3.1.1.


Vendor Workaround

No workarounds known.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-27981 If a DHCPv4 client sends a request with some specific options, and Kea fails to find an appropriate subnet for the client, the `kea-dhcp4` process will abort with an assertion failure. This happens only if the client request is unicast directly to Kea; broadcast messages do not cause the problem. This issue affects Kea versions 2.7.1 through 2.7.9, 3.0.0, and 3.1.0.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Isc
Isc kea
Vendors & Products Isc
Isc kea
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description If a DHCPv4 client sends a request with some specific options, and Kea fails to find an appropriate subnet for the client, the `kea-dhcp4` process will abort with an assertion failure. This happens only if the client request is unicast directly to Kea; broadcast messages do not cause the problem. This issue affects Kea versions 2.7.1 through 2.7.9, 3.0.0, and 3.1.0.
Title Kea crash upon interaction between specific client options and subnet selection
Weaknesses CWE-476
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
isc
Published
Updated
Nov 4, 2025, 9:10 PM
Reserved
Apr 16, 2025, 8:44 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Aug 27, 2025, 9:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:22 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Aug 27, 2025, 8:23 PM