// For flags

CVE-2025-38209

nvme-tcp: remove tag set when second admin queue config fails

Severity Score

7.1
*CVSS v3

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-tcp: remove tag set when second admin queue config fails Commit 104d0e2f6222 ("nvme-fabrics: reset admin connection for secure
concatenation") modified nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() to call
nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() twice. The first call prepares for
DH-CHAP negotitation, and the second call is required for secure
concatenation. However, this change triggered BUG KASAN slab-use-after-
free in blk_mq_queue_tag_busy_iter(). This BUG can be recreated by
repeating the blktests test case nvme/063 a few times [1]. When the BUG happens, nvme_tcp_create_ctrl() fails in the call chain
below: nvme_tcp_create_ctrl() nvme_tcp_alloc_ctrl() new=true ... Alloc nvme_tcp_ctrl and admin_tag_set nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() new=true nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() new=true ... Succeed nvme_alloc_admin_tag_set() ... Alloc the tag set for admin_tag_set nvme_stop_keep_alive() nvme_tcp_teardown_admin_queue() remove=false nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() new=false nvme_tcp_alloc_admin_queue() ... Fail, but do not call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() nvme_uninit_ctrl() nvme_put_ctrl() ... Free up the nvme_tcp_ctrl and admin_tag_set The first call of nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() succeeds with
new=true argument. The second call fails with new=false argument. This
second call does not call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() on failure, due to
the new=false argument. Then the admin tag set is not removed. However,
nvme_tcp_create_ctrl() assumes that nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() would call
nvme_remove_admin_tag_set(). Then it frees up struct nvme_tcp_ctrl which
has admin_tag_set field. Later on, the timeout handler accesses the
admin_tag_set field and causes the BUG KASAN slab-use-after-free. To not leave the admin tag set, call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() when
the second nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() call fails. Do not return
from nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() on failure. Instead, jump to "destroy_admin"
go-to label to call nvme_tcp_teardown_admin_queue() which calls
nvme_remove_admin_tag_set().

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-tcp: remove tag set when second admin queue config fails Commit 104d0e2f6222 ("nvme-fabrics: reset admin connection for secure concatenation") modified nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() to call nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() twice. The first call prepares for DH-CHAP negotitation, and the second call is required for secure concatenation. However, this change triggered BUG KASAN slab-use-after- free in blk_mq_queue_tag_busy_iter(). This BUG can be recreated by repeating the blktests test case nvme/063 a few times [1]. When the BUG happens, nvme_tcp_create_ctrl() fails in the call chain below: nvme_tcp_create_ctrl() nvme_tcp_alloc_ctrl() new=true ... Alloc nvme_tcp_ctrl and admin_tag_set nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() new=true nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() new=true ... Succeed nvme_alloc_admin_tag_set() ... Alloc the tag set for admin_tag_set nvme_stop_keep_alive() nvme_tcp_teardown_admin_queue() remove=false nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() new=false nvme_tcp_alloc_admin_queue() ... Fail, but do not call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() nvme_uninit_ctrl() nvme_put_ctrl() ... Free up the nvme_tcp_ctrl and admin_tag_set The first call of nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() succeeds with new=true argument. The second call fails with new=false argument. This second call does not call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() on failure, due to the new=false argument. Then the admin tag set is not removed. However, nvme_tcp_create_ctrl() assumes that nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() would call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set(). Then it frees up struct nvme_tcp_ctrl which has admin_tag_set field. Later on, the timeout handler accesses the admin_tag_set field and causes the BUG KASAN slab-use-after-free. To not leave the admin tag set, call nvme_remove_admin_tag_set() when the second nvme_tcp_configure_admin_queue() call fails. Do not return from nvme_tcp_setup_ctrl() on failure. Instead, jump to "destroy_admin" go-to label to call nvme_tcp_teardown_admin_queue() which calls nvme_remove_admin_tag_set().

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
Partial
Availability
Partial
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2025-04-16 CVE Reserved
  • 2025-07-04 CVE Published
  • 2025-07-04 CVE Updated
  • 2025-07-10 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 6.15 < 6.15.4
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 6.15 < 6.15.4"
en
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 6.15 < 6.16-rc1
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 6.15 < 6.16-rc1"
en
Affected