CVE-2025-38020: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: Disable MACsec offload for uplink representor profile
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 9% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2 +29
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 18 Jun 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: 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 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.8.0-100.100?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.8.0-1046.49?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14@6.14.0-1011.11~24.04.1?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.8.0-1046.52?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11@6.11.0-1018.18~24.04.1?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and should be applied. The issue is fixed by clearing the MACsec offload feature for uplink representor profiles in the mlx5e driver. Users should update their Linux kernel to the fixed versions provided by their distribution (e.g., Ubuntu security notice USN-7699-1). After updating, a system reboot is required. No additional mitigation steps are necessary as the fix addresses the root cause.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Mellanox network driver (mlx5e) was resolved by disabling MACsec offload for uplink representor profiles. The MACsec offload feature is not supported in switchdev mode for uplink representors, and if left enabled, attempts to add offloads cause a null pointer dereference leading to a kernel crash (general protection fault). This issue has been fixed by clearing the MACsec offload feature bit when switching to the uplink representor profile.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38020 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38020 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/588431474eb7572e57a927fa8558c9ba2f8af143 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1a69d53922c1221351739f17837d38e317234e5d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1e577aeb51e9deba4f2c10edfcb07cb3cb406598 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1f80e6ff026041721d8089da8c269b1963628325 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/588431474eb7572e57a927fa8558c9ba2f8af143 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b48a47e137cedfd79655accaeeea6b296ad0b9e1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7699-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7699-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7721-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-3 (opens in a new tab)