Critical severity · published Sep 5, 2025
CVE-2025-39682
tls: fix handling of zero-length records on the rx_list
In wildKEV
9.8
CVSS
3.3%
EPSS
Yes
On KEV
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tls: fix handling of zero-length records on the rx_list Each recvmsg() call must process either - only contiguous DATA records (any number of them) - one non-DATA record If the next record has different type than what has already been processed we break out of the main processing loop. If the record has already been decrypted (which may be the case for TLS 1.3 where we don't know type until decryption) we queue the pending record to the rx_list. Next recvmsg() will pick it up from there. Queuing the skb to rx_list after zero-copy decrypt is not possible, since in that case we decrypted directly to the user space buffer, and we don't have an skb to queue (darg.skb points to the ciphertext skb for access to metadata like length). Only data records are allowed zero-copy, and we break the processing loop after each non-data record. So we should never zero-copy and then find out that the record type has changed. The corner case we missed is when the initial record comes from rx_list, and it's zero length.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)3.3% · higher than 88% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildYes
CISA KEVListed Sep 18, 2026
Federal remediation dueSep 21, 2026
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
KE
Kernel · Linux
6.0 before 6.1.149; 6.2 before 6.6.103; 6.7 before 6.12.44; 6.13 before 6.16.4; 6.17; 6.17 · source: NVD, KEV
LI
Linux · Linux
84c61fe1a75b4255df1e1e7c054c9e6d048da417 before 2902c3ebcca52ca845c03182000e8d71d3a5196f; 84c61fe1a75b4255df1e1e7c054c9e6d048da417 before c09dd3773b5950e9cfb6c9b9a5f6e36d06c62677; 84c61fe1a75b4255df1e1e7c054c9e6d048da417 before 3439c15ae91a517cf3c650ea15a8987699416ad9; 84c61fe1a75b4255df1e1e7c054c9e6d048da417 before 29c0ce3c8cdb6dc5d61139c937f34cb888a6f42e; 84c61fe1a75b4255df1e1e7c054c9e6d048da417 before 62708b9452f8eb77513115b17c4f8d1a22ebf843; 6.0 · source: vendor
DL
Debian Linux · Debian
11.0 · source: NVD
SC
Simatic CN 4100 Firmware · Siemens
before 5.0 · source: NVD
SC
SIMATIC CN 4100 · Siemens
before V5.0 · source: CISA
In the news
VulnerabilityCritical
CISA Flags Three Linux Kernel Vulnerabilities Exploited in the Wild
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Friday added three security flaws impacting the Linux kernel to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, citing evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerabilities are listed below - CVE-2025-39682 (CVSS score: 9.8) - An improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions vulnerability in the TLS receive path
Sep 19, 2026·The Hacker News
VulnerabilityHigh
CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability to Catalog
CISA has added one new vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog , based on evidence of active exploitation. CVE-2025-39682 Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions Vulnerability This type of vulnerability is a frequent attack vector for malicious cyber actors and poses significant risks to the federal enterprise. Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 26-04: Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk establishes vulnerability management requirements for Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies. BOD 26-04 reinforces the importance of the KEV Catalog and requires federal agencies to prioritize rapid remediation of high-risk vulnerabilities, specifically those identified by Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) listed in CISA’s KEV Catalog on publicly exposed assets that grant total control of the asset post-exploitation, while deferring action for lower-risk vulnerabilities. BOD 26-04 further establishes basic expectations for when agencies must check whether threat actors compromised the system before the patch was applied. While BOD 26-04 applies only to FCEB agencies, CISA encourages all organizations to adopt risk-based vulnerability management and prioritize remediation of KEV Catalog vulnerabilities . CISA will continue to add vulnerabilities to the catalog that meet the specified criteria . Aware of an exploited vulnerability not currently listed in the KEV Catalog? Submit it for potenti...
Sep 18, 2026·US-CERT Current Activity
VulnerabilityHigh
[CISA KEV] CVE-2025-39682: Linux Kernel - Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions Vulnerability
Linux Kernel contains an improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions vulnerability in the TLS receive path which allows a zero-length record retrieved from the rx_list to bypass the intended recvmsg() record-type handling, potentially causing subsequent TLS records to be processed using incorrect zero-copy and queuing assumptions. The impacted product(s) could be end-of-life (EoL) and/or end-of-service (EoS). Users are advised to discontinue use and/or transition to a supported version.
Sep 18, 2026·CISA KEV