CVE-2025-40292: Linux kernel · virtio-net: fix received length check in big packets Since commit 4959aebba8c0
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 Dec 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 2026-10-25.
What to do
AI-suggested
Since no explicit patch or vendor advisory is provided, users should monitor official Linux kernel updates and apply the fix once available. Until then, cautious handling of virtio-net interfaces and limiting exposure to untrusted hosts is advisable.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's virtio-net driver involves an incorrect length check when handling large packets. The issue arises because the buffer length check was not updated after changes to how buffer sizes are allocated based on negotiated MTU, potentially leading to a NULL page pointer dereference. This flaw can cause denial of service and compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-40292 and is rated high severity.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-40292 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c716703965ffc5ef4311b65cb5d84a703784717 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3e9d89f2ecd3636bd4cbdfd0b2dfdaf58f9882e2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/82f9028e83944a9eee5229cbc6fee9be1de8a62d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/82fe78065450d2d07f36a22e2b6b44955cf5ca5b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/946dec89c41726b94d31147ec528b96af0be1b5a (opens in a new tab)