CVE-2025-40240
Description
From CVE.org
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: avoid NULL dereference when chunk data buffer is missing chunk->skb pointer is dereferenced in the if-block where it's supposed to be NULL only. chunk->skb can only be NULL if chunk->head_skb is not. Check for frag_list instead and do it just before replacing chunk->skb. We're sure that otherwise chunk->skb is non-NULL because of outer if() condition.
Statement
A missing data buffer (frag_list) in SCTP chunk processing could trigger a NULL pointer dereference when handling GSO packets. A remote attacker sending a malformed SCTP packet could cause a kernel crash (DoS). The system is vulnerable only if CONFIG_IP_SCTP enabled in Kernel configuration (and for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux it is always disabled in older versions and enabled as module in latest versions only). However even if module exists in Red Hat Enterprise Linux, still admin need to specially enable it usage (make some SCTP listening port available) before exploitation would be possible.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, prevent module sctp from being loaded. Please see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 for how to blacklist a kernel module to prevent it from loading automatically.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.5 | N/A | 7.5 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | None |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
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