CVE-2025-38512: wifi: prevent A-MSDU attacks in mesh networks
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 31/100)
- The sources we track (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei, GitHub) show no public exploit code or exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 0.24% (FIRST EPSS).
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it. A low-privileged account is enough. No user action is required. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- Fixed version: Linux Linux 6.1.146, 6e3b09402cc6c3e3474fa548e8adf6897dda05de, 737bb912ebbe4571195c56eba557c4d7315b26fb; azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-2 on Azure Linux 3.0 6.6.104.2-1.
Low priority for now. Upgrade to Linux Linux 6.1.146, 6e3b09402cc6c3e3474fa548e8adf6897dda05de, 737bb912ebbe4571195c56eba557c4d7315b26fb; azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-2 on Azure Linux 3.0 6.6.104.2-1 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: prevent A-MSDU attacks in mesh networks This patch is a mitigation to prevent the A-MSDU spoofing vulnerability for mesh networks. The initial update to the IEEE 802.11 standard, in response to the FragAttacks, missed this case (CVE-2025-27558). It can be considered a variant of CVE-2020-24588 but for mesh networks. This patch tries to detect if a standard MSDU was turned into an A-MSDU by an adversary. This is done by parsing a received A-MSDU as a standard MSDU, calculating the length of the Mesh Control header, and seeing if the 6 bytes after this header equal the start of an rfc1042 header. If equal, this is a strong indication of an ongoing attack attempt. This defense was tested with mac80211_hwsim against a mesh network that uses an empty Mesh Address Extension field, i.e., when four addresses are used, and when using a 12-byte Mesh Address Extension field, i.e., when six addresses are used. Functionality of normal MSDUs and A-MSDUs was also tested, and confirmed working, when using both an empty and 12-byte Mesh Address Extension field. It was also tested with mac80211_hwsim that A-MSDU attacks in non-mesh networks keep being detected and prevented. Note that the vulnerability being patched, and the defense being implemented, was also discussed in the following paper and in the following IEEE 802.11 presentation: https://papers.mathyvanhoef.com/wisec2025.pdf https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-0949-00-000m-a-msdu-mesh-spoof-protection.docx
- Published
- Aug 16, 2025
- Updated
- Oct 15, 2026
- EPSS
- 0.2% · 16th percentile
- CWE
- —
Report tools
Action score
31
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 31 / 40 · 7.8 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 0 / 30 · 0.2%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- total
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- 7.8
- CNA · Linux
- 8.8
- 1.0 point gap
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- No public exploit code on record
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
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Noroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux kernel | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel |
| debian | debian linux | cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- debian debian linux11.0
- linux linux kernel6.1.107 and later · before 6.1.146
- linux linux kernel6.3 and later · before 6.6.99
- linux linux kernel6.7 and later · before 6.12.39
- linux linux kernel6.13 and later · before 6.15.7
- linux linux kernel6.16
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (Linux). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
Linux Linux
- 6.3affected
- 79720743421753ff72bfa0d79976c534645b81c1 and later · before e2c8a3c0388aef6bfc4aabfba07bc7dff16eea80affected · git
- 986e43b19ae9176093da35e0a844e65c8bf9ede7 and later · before ec6392061de6681148b63ee6c8744da833498cddaffected · git
- 986e43b19ae9176093da35e0a844e65c8bf9ede7 and later · before e01851f6e9a665a6011b14714b271d3e6b0b8d32affected · git
- 986e43b19ae9176093da35e0a844e65c8bf9ede7 and later · before 6e3b09402cc6c3e3474fa548e8adf6897dda05deaffected · git
- 986e43b19ae9176093da35e0a844e65c8bf9ede7 and later · before 737bb912ebbe4571195c56eba557c4d7315b26fbaffected · git
- 6.1.107 and later · before 6.1.146affected · semver
- before 6.3not affected · semver
- 6.1.146 and later · up to and including 6.1.*not affected · semver
- 6.6.99 and later · up to and including 6.6.*not affected · semver
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | linux | before 6.1.147-1 | 6.1.147-1 |
| Debian:13 | linux | before 6.12.41-1 | 6.12.41-1 |
| Debian:14 | linux | before 6.16.3-1 | 6.16.3-1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | dtb-aarch64 | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-64kb | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-azure | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-default | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-default-base | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1.160000.2.7 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1.160000.2.7 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-docs | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-kvmsmall | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-obs-build | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-obs-qa | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-rt | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-source | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-syms | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | kernel-zfcpdump | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | kernel-azure | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | kernel-docs | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | kernel-kvmsmall | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | kernel-obs-qa | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | kernel-zfcpdump | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | kernel-64kb | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | kernel-default | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | kernel-default-base | before 6.12.0-160000.26.1.160000.2.7 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1.160000.2.7 |
+4
Same product
linux: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2026-31431crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-placeKEV90Now
- CVE-2022-0847A flaw was found in the way the "flags" member of the new pipe buffer structure was lacking proper initialization in copy_page_to_iter_pipe KEV89Now
- CVE-2021-22555Heap Out-Of-Bounds Write in Netfilter IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACEKEV85Now
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2025-38510Aug 16, 2025 · kasan: remove kasan_find_vm_area() to prevent possible deadlock22Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2025-38511Aug 16, 2025 · drm/xe/pf: Clear all LMTT pages on alloc22Monitor
- Later →CVE-2025-38514Aug 16, 2025 · rxrpc: Fix oops due to non-existence of prealloc backlog struct22Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Linux Linux | 6.1.146 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | 6e3b09402cc6c3e3474fa548e8adf6897dda05de | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | 737bb912ebbe4571195c56eba557c4d7315b26fb | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | e01851f6e9a665a6011b14714b271d3e6b0b8d32 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | e2c8a3c0388aef6bfc4aabfba07bc7dff16eea80 | Vendor (CNA) |
| Linux Linux | ec6392061de6681148b63ee6c8744da833498cdd | Vendor (CNA) |
| azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-2 on Azure Linux 3.0 | 6.6.104.2-1 · CBL-Mariner Releases | Microsoft (MSRC) |
| debian:linux | 6.1.147-1 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:dtb-aarch64 | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-64kb | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-azure | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-default | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.26.1.160000.2.7 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-docs | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-kvmsmall | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-obs-build | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-obs-qa | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-rt | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-source | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-syms | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · openSUSE:Leap 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-64kb | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-azure | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-default | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.26.1.160000.2.7 · SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-docs | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-kvmsmall | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-obs-build | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Micro Extras 6.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-obs-qa | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-rt | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-source | 6.12.0-160000.26.1 · SUSE:Linux Micro 6.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
+2
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
No history yet (it accumulates with the daily EPSS job).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
- A low-privileged account is enough.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
—
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
MITRE has no CAPEC/ATT&CK mapping for this CWE.
Change log
- SSVC exploitation— → none
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (5 more)Show less
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/737bb912ebbe4571195c56eba557c4d7315b26fb
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e01851f6e9a665a6011b14714b271d3e6b0b8d32
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2c8a3c0388aef6bfc4aabfba07bc7dff16eea80
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec6392061de6681148b63ee6c8744da833498cdd
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.