CVE-2025-37757 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Transparent Inter-Process Communication (TIPC) subsystem, specifically within the tipc_link_xmit() function. TIPC is a protocol designed for efficient communication between nodes in a cluster or distributed system. The vulnerability arises when the backlog transmit queue for system-importance messages becomes overloaded. Under these conditions, tipc_link_xmit() returns an error code (-ENOBUFS) indicating no buffer space is available, but it fails to purge the socket buffer (skb) list associated with the messages. This failure results in a memory leak as the skb list remains allocated and unreleased. Over time, this memory leak can cause resource exhaustion, leading to failures when the system attempts to allocate new skbs for message transmission. The patch for this vulnerability involves modifying tipc_link_xmit() to purge the skb list before returning the error, thereby preventing the leak. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel as indicated by the repeated commit hash references, though exact kernel versions are not specified. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-37757 can be significant, especially for those relying on Linux-based systems in clustered or distributed environments where TIPC is utilized. The memory leak can degrade system performance over time, potentially leading to denial of service (DoS) conditions due to resource exhaustion. This can affect critical infrastructure, telecommunications, industrial control systems, and cloud services that depend on stable inter-node communication. The vulnerability primarily threatens availability rather than confidentiality or integrity. Systems experiencing this issue may become unresponsive or crash, disrupting business operations and services. Given the widespread use of Linux in European enterprises, data centers, and public sector infrastructure, the vulnerability could have broad operational impacts if left unpatched. However, the lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, though the potential for future exploitation remains if attackers develop techniques to trigger the leak deliberately.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the patched version that includes the fix for CVE-2025-37757. Since the vulnerability is in the kernel's TIPC subsystem, organizations should: 1) Identify systems using TIPC, particularly in clustered or distributed setups; 2) Apply kernel updates from trusted Linux distributions that incorporate the fix; 3) Monitor system logs and resource usage for signs of memory leaks or skb allocation failures; 4) Implement resource limits and alerts to detect abnormal memory consumption related to network buffers; 5) If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling TIPC if it is not essential to operations to mitigate risk; 6) Engage with Linux vendor support channels for guidance on backporting patches to older kernel versions if necessary. Additionally, maintaining robust system monitoring and incident response capabilities will help detect and respond to any exploitation attempts promptly.