devlink: rate: Unset parent pointer in devl_rate_nodes_destroy
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 33 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-476.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: devlink: rate: Unset parent pointer in devl_rate_nodes_destroy The function devl_rate_nodes_destroy is documented to "Unset parent for all rate objects". However, it was only calling the driver-specific `rate_leaf_parent_set` or `rate_node_parent_set` ops and decrementing the parent's refcount, without actually setting the `devlink_rate->parent` pointer to NULL. This leaves a dangling pointer in the `devlink_rate` struct, which cause refcount error in netdevsim[1] and mlx5[2]. In addition, this is inconsistent with the behavior of `devlink_nl_rate_parent_node_set`, where the parent pointer is correctly cleared. This patch fixes the issue by explicitly setting `devlink_rate->parent` to NULL after notifying the driver, thus fulfilling the function's documented behavior for all rate objects. [1] repro steps: echo 1 > /sys/bus/netdevsim/new_device devlink dev eswitch set netdevsim/netdevsim1 mode switchdev echo 1 > /sys/bus/netdevsim/devices/netdevsim1/sriov_numvfs devlink port function rate add netdevsim/netdevsim1/test_node devlink port function rate set netdevsim/netdevsim1/128 parent test_node echo 1 > /sys/bus/netdevsim/del_device dmesg: refcount_t: decrement hit 0; leaking memory. WARNING: CPU: 8 PID: 1530 at lib/refcount.c:31 refcount_warn_saturate+0x42/0xe0 CPU: 8 UID: 0 PID: 1530 Comm: bash Not tainted 6.18.0-rc4+ #1 NONE Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS rel-1.16.0-0-gd239552ce722-prebuilt.qemu.org 04/01/2014 RIP: 0010:refcount_warn_saturate+0x42/0xe0 Call Trace: <TASK> devl_rate_leaf_destroy+0x8d/0x90 __nsim_dev_port_del+0x6c/0x70 [netdevsim] nsim_dev_reload_destroy+0x11c/0x140 [netdevsim] nsim_drv_remove+0x2b/0xb0 [netdevsim] device_release_driver_internal+0x194/0x1f0 bus_remove_device+0xc6/0x130 device_del+0x159/0x3c0 device_unregister+0x1a/0x60 del_device_store+0x111/0x170 [netdevsim] kernfs_fop_write_iter+0x12e/0x1e0 vfs_write+0x215/0x3d0 ksys_write+0x5f/0xd0 do_syscall_64+0x55/0x10f0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 [2] devlink dev eswitch set pci/0000:08:00.0 mode switchdev devlink port add pci/0000:08:00.0 flavour pcisf pfnum 0 sfnum 1000 devlink port function rate add pci/0000:08:00.0/group1 devlink port function rate set pci/0000:08:00.0/32768 parent group1 modprobe -r mlx5_ib mlx5_fwctl mlx5_core dmesg: refcount_t: decrement hit 0; leaking memory. WARNING: CPU: 7 PID: 16151 at lib/refcount.c:31 refcount_warn_saturate+0x42/0xe0 CPU: 7 UID: 0 PID: 16151 Comm: bash Not tainted 6.17.0-rc7_for_upstream_min_debug_2025_10_02_12_44 #1 NONE Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS rel-1.16.3-0-ga6ed6b701f0a-prebuilt.qemu.org 04/01/2014 RIP: 0010:refcount_warn_saturate+0x42/0xe0 Call Trace: <TASK> devl_rate_leaf_destroy+0x8d/0x90 mlx5_esw_offloads_devlink_port_unregister+0x33/0x60 [mlx5_core] mlx5_esw_offloads_unload_rep+0x3f/0x50 [mlx5_core] mlx5_eswitch_unload_sf_vport+0x40/0x90 [mlx5_core] mlx5_sf_esw_event+0xc4/0x120 [mlx5_core] notifier_call_chain+0x33/0xa0 blocking_notifier_call_chain+0x3b/0x50 mlx5_eswitch_disable_locked+0x50/0x110 [mlx5_core] mlx5_eswitch_disable+0x63/0x90 [mlx5_core] mlx5_unload+0x1d/0x170 [mlx5_core] mlx5_uninit_one+0xa2/0x130 [mlx5_core] remove_one+0x78/0xd0 [mlx5_core] pci_device_remove+0x39/0xa0 device_release_driver_internal+0x194/0x1f0 unbind_store+0x99/0xa0 kernfs_fop_write_iter+0x12e/0x1e0 vfs_write+0x215/0x3d0 ksys_write+0x5f/0xd0 do_syscall_64+0x53/0x1f0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.14 and later | 6.1.164, 6.6.118, 6.12.60, 6.17.10, 6.18 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 5.14 and later Fixed in 6.1.164, 6.6.118, 6.12.60, 6.17.10, 6.18 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.14 to before 6.1.164; 6.2 to before 6.6.118; 6.7 to before 6.12.60; 6.13 to before 6.17.10 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.18 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.18 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.18 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.18 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.18 rc5 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.18 rc6 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.14 to before 6.1.164; 6.2 to before 6.6.118; 6.7 to before 6.12.60; 6.13 to before 6.17.10 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.18 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.18 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.18 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.18 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.18 rc5 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.18:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.18 rc6 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.1.164, 6.6.118, 6.12.60, 6.17.10, 6.18
Red Hat 9 advisories
- RHSA-2026:2560 Released 2026-02-11 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-284.156.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-284.156.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-284.156.1.el9_2 +10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) bpftool-7.0.0-284.156.1.el9_2, kernel-5.14.0-284.156.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-5.14.0-284.156.1.el9_2 +29
- RHSA-2026:2583 Released 2026-02-11 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.156.1.rt14.441.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.156.1.rt14.441.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.156.1.rt14.441.el9_2 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.156.1.rt14.441.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.156.1.rt14.441.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.156.1.rt14.441.el9_2 +11
- RHSA-2026:2577 Released 2026-02-11 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV E4S (v.9.0) kernel-rt-5.14.0-70.165.1.rt21.237.el9_0, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-70.165.1.rt21.237.el9_0, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-70.165.1.rt21.237.el9_0 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.0) kernel-rt-5.14.0-70.165.1.rt21.237.el9_0, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-70.165.1.rt21.237.el9_0, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-70.165.1.rt21.237.el9_0 +7
Show 6 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:2573 Released 2026-02-11 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.0) kernel-debug-devel-5.14.0-70.165.1.el9_0, kernel-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-70.165.1.el9_0, kernel-devel-5.14.0-70.165.1.el9_0 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.0) bpftool-5.14.0-70.165.1.el9_0, kernel-5.14.0-70.165.1.el9_0, kernel-abi-stablelists-5.14.0-70.165.1.el9_0 +14
- RHSA-2026:1879 Released 2026-02-04 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, libperf-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.109.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2026:1727 Released 2026-02-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, libperf-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-55.58.1.el10_0 +11
- RHSA-2026:1690 Released 2026-02-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kernel-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, libperf-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-124.31.1.el10_1 +21
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- RHSA-2026:1617 Released 2026-02-02 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) kernel-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, libperf-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-611.27.1.el9_7 +9
- RHSA-2026:1194 Released 2026-01-26 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.81.1.el9_6 +11
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1879 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1194 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1617 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2573 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2560 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1727 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1879 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1194 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1617 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2573 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2560 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1727 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1879 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1194 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1617 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1727 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2577 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1617 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2577 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2583 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1727 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1879 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1194 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1617 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:2583 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1727 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1879 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:1194 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-40251
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-4fxr-v6jm-9j9m
References
Patch 5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/90e51e20bcec9bff5b2421ce1bd95704764655f5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/715d9cda646a8a38ea8b2bb5afb679a7464055e2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c70df6c17d389cc743f0eb30160e2d6bc6910db8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/542f45486f1ce2d2dde75bd85aca0389ef7046c3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f94c1a114ac209977bdf5ca841b98424295ab1f0
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Sources
- CVE-2025-40251 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-40251 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-4fxr-v6jm-9j9m · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2025-40251 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences