CVE-2025-38553
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/sched: Restrict conditions for adding duplicating netems to qdisc tree
netem_enqueue's duplication prevention logic breaks when a netem
resides in a qdisc tree with other netems - this can lead to a
soft lockup and OOM loop in netem_dequeue, as seen in [1].
Ensure that a duplicating netem cannot exist in a tree with other
netems.
Previous approaches suggested in discussions in chronological order:
1) Track duplication status or ttl in the sk_buff struct. Considered
too specific a use case to extend such a struct, though this would
be a resilient fix and address other previous and potential future
DOS bugs like the one described in loopy fun [2].
2) Restrict netem_enqueue recursion depth like in act_mirred with a
per cpu variable. However, netem_dequeue can call enqueue on its
child, and the depth restriction could be bypassed if the child is a
netem.
3) Use the same approach as in 2, but add metadata in netem_skb_cb
to handle the netem_dequeue case and track a packet's involvement
in duplication. This is an overly complex approach, and Jamal
notes that the skb cb can be overwritten to circumvent this
safeguard.
4) Prevent the addition of a netem to a qdisc tree if its ancestral
path contains a netem. However, filters and actions can cause a
packet to change paths when re-enqueued to the root from netem
duplication, leading us to the current solution: prevent a
duplicating netem from inhabiting the same tree as other netems.
[1] https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/8DuRWwfqjoRDLDmBMlIfbrsZg9Gx50DHJc1ilxsEBNe2D6NMoigR_eIRIG0LOjMc3r10nUUZtArXx4oZBIdUfZQrwjcQhdinnMis_0G7VEk=@willsroot.io/
[2] https://lwn.net/Articles/719297/
net/sched: Restrict conditions for adding duplicating netems to qdisc tree
netem_enqueue's duplication prevention logic breaks when a netem
resides in a qdisc tree with other netems - this can lead to a
soft lockup and OOM loop in netem_dequeue, as seen in [1].
Ensure that a duplicating netem cannot exist in a tree with other
netems.
Previous approaches suggested in discussions in chronological order:
1) Track duplication status or ttl in the sk_buff struct. Considered
too specific a use case to extend such a struct, though this would
be a resilient fix and address other previous and potential future
DOS bugs like the one described in loopy fun [2].
2) Restrict netem_enqueue recursion depth like in act_mirred with a
per cpu variable. However, netem_dequeue can call enqueue on its
child, and the depth restriction could be bypassed if the child is a
netem.
3) Use the same approach as in 2, but add metadata in netem_skb_cb
to handle the netem_dequeue case and track a packet's involvement
in duplication. This is an overly complex approach, and Jamal
notes that the skb cb can be overwritten to circumvent this
safeguard.
4) Prevent the addition of a netem to a qdisc tree if its ancestral
path contains a netem. However, filters and actions can cause a
packet to change paths when re-enqueued to the root from netem
duplication, leading us to the current solution: prevent a
duplicating netem from inhabiting the same tree as other netems.
[1] https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/8DuRWwfqjoRDLDmBMlIfbrsZg9Gx50DHJc1ilxsEBNe2D6NMoigR_eIRIG0LOjMc3r10nUUZtArXx4oZBIdUfZQrwjcQhdinnMis_0G7VEk=@willsroot.io/
[2] https://lwn.net/Articles/719297/
Vendor
Product
CWE
Yayın Tarihi
2025-08-19 06:15:33
Güncelleme
2026-01-08 20:49:12
Source Identifier
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
KEV Date Added
-
Kategoriler
Referanslar
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09317dfb681ac5a96fc69bea0c54441cf91b8270
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/103c4e27ec9f5fe53022e46e976abf52c7221baf
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/250f8796006c0f2bc638ce545f601d49ae8d528b
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/325f5ec67cc0a77f2d0d453445b9857f1cd06c76
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/795cb393e38977aa991e70a9363da0ee734b2114
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ad340a4b4adb855b18b3666f26ad65c8968e2deb
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cab2809944989889f88a1a8b5cff1c78460c72cb
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec8e0e3d7adef940cdf9475e2352c0680189d14e
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f088b6ebe8797a3f948d2cae47f34bfb45cc6522
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.html
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html