CVE-2025-22077: Linux kernel · smb: client: Fix netns refcount imbalance causing leaks and use-after-free
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 23:35 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 16 Apr 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
Until a fix is available, cautious use of the affected SMB client functionality in the Linux kernel is advised.
Description
CVE-2025-22077 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SMB client implementation involving improper handling of network namespace (netns) reference counts. The flaw results from incomplete balancing of get_net() and put_net() calls, causing netns reference count leaks and potential use-after-free conditions. These issues arise during socket connection and reconnection processes in the CIFS/SMB client code. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with an impact on availability due to potential kernel crashes or instability.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-22077 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/476617a4ca0123f0df677d547a82a110c27c8c74 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b6f6bf1bde8d6045c389fda8d21c304dfe49384 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4e7f1644f2ac6d01dc584f6301c3b1d5aac4eaef (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d8dfc27d90d41627c0d6ada97ed0ab57b3dae25 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8dbf060480236877703bff0106fc984576184d11 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/95d2b9f693ff2a1180a23d7d59acc0c4e72f4c41 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/961755d0055e0e96d1849cc0425da966c8a64e53 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c6b6b8dcef4adf8ee4e439bb97e74106096c71b8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f761eeefd531e6550cd3a5c047835b4892acb00d (opens in a new tab)