CVE-2025-39673
Description
From CVE.org
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ppp: fix race conditions in ppp_fill_forward_path ppp_fill_forward_path() has two race conditions: 1. The ppp->channels list can change between list_empty() and list_first_entry(), as ppp_lock() is not held. If the only channel is deleted in ppp_disconnect_channel(), list_first_entry() may access an empty head or a freed entry, and trigger a panic. 2. pch->chan can be NULL. When ppp_unregister_channel() is called, pch->chan is set to NULL before pch is removed from ppp->channels. Fix these by using a lockless RCU approach: - Use list_first_or_null_rcu() to safely test and access the first list entry. - Convert list modifications on ppp->channels to their RCU variants and add synchronize_net() after removal. - Check for a NULL pch->chan before dereferencing it.
Statement
A race in ppp_fill_forward_path() could access an empty/freed list entry or a NULL pch->chan when resolving the forwarding path, leading to a kernel crash. The fix converts channel list operations to RCU (list_first_or_null_rcu, list_add_tail_rcu, list_del_rcu + synchronize_net()) and guards pch->chan with READ_ONCE(). Impact is limited to remote denial of service on systems using PPP/PPPoE forwarding.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, prevent module ppp_generic 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).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.9 | 4.7 | 9.8 |
| Attack Vector | Network | Local | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | High | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | Low | None |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | None | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/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:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Resource Consumption (Other)
When a race condition makes it possible to bypass a resource cleanup routine or trigger multiple initialization routines, it may lead to resource exhaustion.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Instability
When a race condition allows multiple control flows to access a resource simultaneously, it might lead the product(s) into unexpected states, possibly resulting in a crash.
Confidentiality,Integrity
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories; Read Application Data
When a race condition is combined with predictable resource names and loose permissions, it may be possible for an attacker to overwrite or access confidential data (CWE-59).
Access Control
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; Bypass Protection Mechanism
This can have security implications when the expected synchronization is in security-critical code, such as recording whether a user is authenticated or modifying important state information that should not be influenced by an outsider.
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