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CVE-2025-38463

7.8 · HIGH

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tcp: Correct signedness in skb remaining space calculation Syzkaller reported a bug [1] where sk->sk_forward_alloc can overflow.

Published Jul 25, 2025CWE-191EPSS 0.18%

Overview

CVE-2025-38463 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on July 25, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

tcp: Correct signedness in skb remaining space calculation

Syzkaller reported a bug [1] where sk->sk_forward_alloc can overflow.

When we send data, if an skb exists at the tail of the write queue, the

kernel will attempt to append the new data to that skb. However, the code

that checks for available space in the skb is flawed:

'''

copy = size_goal - skb->len

'''

The types of the variables involved are:

'''

copy: ssize_t (s64 on 64-bit systems)

size_goal: int

skb->len: unsigned int

'''

Due to C's type promotion rules, the signed size_goal is converted to an

unsigned int to match skb->len before the subtraction. The result is an

unsigned int.

When this unsigned int result is then assigned to the s64 copy variable,

it is zero-extended, preserving its non-negative value. Consequently, copy

is always >= 0.

Assume we are sending 2GB of data and size_goal has been adjusted to a

value smaller than skb->len. The subtract

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38463?

CVE-2025-38463 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on July 25, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2025-38463?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2025-38463?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2025-38463?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2025-38463 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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