Vulnerability · Published Nov 12, 2025 · Assigned by Linux
CVE-2025-40123bpf: Enforce expected_attach_type for tailcall compatibility
High 7.8
In plain English
A high-severity security flaw in Linux from Linux. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 6% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: public proof-of-concept code. Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Enforce expected_attach_type for tailcall compatibility Yinhao et al. recently reported: Our fuzzer tool discovered an uninitialized pointer issue in the bpf_prog_test_run_xdp() function within the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem. This leads to a NULL pointer dereference when a BPF program attempts to deference the txq member of struct xdp_buff object. The test initializes two programs of BPF_PROG_TYPE_XDP: progA acts as the entry point for bpf_prog_test_run_xdp() and its expected_attach_type can neither be of be BPF_XDP_DEVMAP nor BPF_XDP_CPUMAP. progA calls into a slot of a tailcall map it owns. progB's expected_attach_type must be BPF_XDP_DEVMAP to pass xdp_is_valid_access() validation. The program returns struct xdp_md's egress_ifindex, and the latter is only allowed to be accessed under mentioned expected_attach_type. progB is then inserted into the tailcall which progA calls. The underlying issue goes beyond XDP though. Another example are programs of type BPF_PROG_TYPE_CGROUP_SOCK_ADDR. sock_addr_is_valid_access() as well as sock_addr_func_proto() have different logic depending on the programs' expected_attach_type. Similarly, a program attached to BPF_CGROUP_INET4_GETPEERNAME should not be allowed doing a tailcall into a program which calls bpf_bind() out of BPF which is only enabled for BPF_CGROUP_INET4_CONNECT. In short, specifying expected_attach_type allows to open up additional functionality or restrictions beyond what the basic bpf_prog_type enables. The use of tailcalls must not violate these constraints. Fix it by enforcing expected_attach_type in __bpf_prog_map_compatible(). Note that we only enforce this for tailcall maps, but not for BPF devmaps or cpumaps: There, the programs are invoked through dev_map_bpf_prog_run*() and cpu_map_bpf_prog_run*() which set up a new environment / context and therefore these situations are not prone to this issue.
Affected packages & fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | linux | 6.1.158-1 | DEBIAN-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Debian:13 | linux | 6.12.57-1 | DEBIAN-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Debian:14 | linux | 6.17.6-1 | DEBIAN-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux | 5.15.0-202.212 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux | 6.8.0-106.106 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux | 6.17.0-14.14 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-allwinner-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-aws | 5.15.0-1119.126 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-aws | 6.8.0-1050.53 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-aws | 6.17.0-1007.7 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-aws-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-aws-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-aws-6.17 | 6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-aws-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-aws-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-aws-6.8 | 6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure | 5.15.0-1125.134 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure | 6.8.0-1051.57 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-azure | 6.17.0-1008.8 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure-6.11 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-6.8 | 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-fde | 5.15.0-1124.133 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure-fde | 6.8.0-1058.65 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-azure-fde | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-fde-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure-fde-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-fde-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-azure-fde-6.8 | 6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure-nvidia | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-azure-nvidia-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gcp | 5.15.0-1120.130 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-gcp | 6.8.0-1052.55 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-gcp | 6.17.0-1007.7 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gcp-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-gcp-6.11 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-gcp-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-gcp-6.17 | 6.17.0-1008.8~24.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gcp-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gcp-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gcp-6.8 | 6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gke | 5.15.0-1115.121 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-gke | 6.8.0-1048.53 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-gkeop | 5.15.0-1102.110 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-gkeop | 6.8.0-1035.38 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-hwe-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-hwe-6.11 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-hwe-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-hwe-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-hwe-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-hwe-6.8 | 6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-ibm | 5.15.0-1113.117 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-ibm | 6.8.0-1049.49 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-ibm-6.8 | 6.8.0-1049.49~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-intel-iot-realtime | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-intel-iotg | 5.15.0-1114.120 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-kvm | 5.15.0-1111.116 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency | 5.15.0-197.207 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency | 6.8.0-106.106.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 | 6.8.0-106.106.1~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-nvidia | 5.15.0-1114.115 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-nvidia | 6.8.0-1049.52 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-6.11 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-6.17 | 6.17.0-1008.8 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-6.8 | 6.8.0-1049.52~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-lowlatency | 6.8.0-1049.52.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra | 5.15.0-1070.72 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra | 6.8.0-1020.20 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra-igx | 5.15.0-1059.59 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oem-5.17 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.0 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.1 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.11 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.17 | 6.17.0-1011.11 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oem-6.8 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oracle | 5.15.0-1116.122 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oracle | 6.8.0-1047.48 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-oracle | 6.17.0-1007.7 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oracle-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-oracle-6.17 | 6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oracle-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-oracle-6.8 | 6.8.0-1047.48~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-raspi | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-raspi | 6.8.0-1050.54 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-raspi | 6.17.0-1008.8 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-realtime | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-realtime | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-realtime | 6.17.0-1006.7 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-riscv | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-riscv | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | linux-riscv | 6.17.0-14.14.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-riscv-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-riscv-6.14 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-riscv-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-riscv-6.8 | 6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-starfive-5.19 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-starfive-6.2 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-starfive-6.5 | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | linux-xilinx | 6.8.0-1028.29 | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | linux-xilinx-zynqmp | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-40123 |
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before e53a59e7cee5c1605d1ed595933098c2b69108f95e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before dc4f348952173beb8ceb15be30b249276eccb6055e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before a99de19128aec0913f3d529f529fbbff5edfaff85e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before 08cb3dc9d2b44f153d0bcf2cb966e4a94b5d0f325e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before f856c598080ba7ce1252867b8ecd6ad5bdaf9a6a5e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before c1ad19b5d8e23123503dcaf2d4342e1b90b923ad5e43f899b03a3492ce5fc44e8900becb04dae9c0 – before 4540aed51b12bc13364149bf95f6ecef013197c0 |
| Linux | Linux | 4.17 |
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e53a59e7cee5c1605d1ed595933098c2b69108f9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc4f348952173beb8ceb15be30b249276eccb605
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a99de19128aec0913f3d529f529fbbff5edfaff8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/08cb3dc9d2b44f153d0bcf2cb966e4a94b5d0f32
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f856c598080ba7ce1252867b8ecd6ad5bdaf9a6a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c1ad19b5d8e23123503dcaf2d4342e1b90b923ad
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4540aed51b12bc13364149bf95f6ecef013197c0