In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf: track changes_pkt_data property for global functions
When processing calls to certain helpers, verifier invalidates all packet pointers in a current state. For example, consider the following program:
__attribute__((__noinline__)) long skb_pull_data(struct __sk_buff *sk, __u32 len) { return bpf_skb_pull_data(sk, len); }
SEC("tc") int test_invalidate_checks(struct __sk_buff *sk) { int *p = (void *)(long)sk->data; if ((void *)(p + 1) > (void *)(long)sk->data_end) return TCX_DROP; skb_pull_data(sk, 0); *p = 42; return TCX_PASS; }
After a call to bpf_skb_pull_data() the pointer 'p' can't be used safely. See function filter.c:bpf_helper_changes_pkt_data() for a list of such helpers.
At the moment verifier invalidates packet pointers when processing helper function calls, and does not traverse global sub-programs when processing calls to global sub-programs. This means that calls to helpers done from global sub-programs do not invalidate pointers in the caller state. E.g. the program above is unsafe, but is not rejected by verifier.
This commit fixes the omission by computing field bpf_subprog_info->changes_pkt_data for each sub-program before main verification pass. changes_pkt_data should be set if: - subprogram calls helper for which bpf_helper_changes_pkt_data returns true; - subprogram calls a global function, for which bpf_subprog_info->changes_pkt_data should be set.
The verifier.c:check_cfg() pass is modified to compute this information. The commit relies on depth first instruction traversal done by check_cfg() and absence of recursive function calls: - check_cfg() would eventually visit every call to subprogram S in a state when S is fully explored; - when S is fully explored: - every direct helper call within S is explored (and thus changes_pkt_data is set if needed); - every call to subprogram S1 called by S was visited with S1 fully explored (and thus S inherits changes_pkt_data from S1).
The downside of such approach is that dead code elimination is not taken into account: if a helper call inside global function is dead because of current configuration, verifier would conservatively assume that the call occurs for the purpose of the changes_pkt_data computation.
CVSS Details
- CVSS 3.1 Base Score: 7.8
- CVSS 3.1 Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
Covered by Rapid7
| Product | Vendor Advisory | Solution File | Added | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon_linux_2023 | — | Upgrade kernel-develUpgrade perf6.12Upgrade kernel-libbpf-develUpgrade kernel6.12-debuginfo-common-x86_64Upgrade kernel-libbpf-debuginfoUpgrade kernel6.12Upgrade bpftoolUpgrade kernel-libbpf-staticUpgrade bpftool-debuginfoUpgrade kernel-libbpfUpgrade kernel-tools-debuginfoUpgrade python3-perf6.12Upgrade python3-perf6.12-debuginfoUpgrade kernel6.12-debuginfoUpgrade kernel6.12-modules-extraUpgrade kernel-tools-develUpgrade kernel-modules-extra-commonUpgrade kernel-livepatch-6.12.25-32.101Upgrade perf6.12-debuginfoUpgrade kernel-toolsUpgrade kernel-headersUpgrade kernel6.12-debuginfo-common-aarch64 | Aug 5, 2025 | May 5, 2025 |
| Debian | — | No solution existsUpgrade linux | May 15, 2025 | May 5, 2025 |
| Huawei Euleros 2_0_sp11 | — | Upgrade bpftoolUpgrade kernel-tools-libsUpgrade kernel-toolsUpgrade kernelUpgrade python3-perfUpgrade kernel-abi-stablelists | Oct 14, 2025 | Aug 9, 2025 |
| Huawei Euleros 2_0_sp12 | — | Upgrade python3-perfUpgrade kernel-toolsUpgrade kernel-abi-stablelistsUpgrade bpftoolUpgrade kernel-tools-libsUpgrade kernel | Sep 15, 2025 | Aug 9, 2025 |
| Huawei Euleros 2_0_sp13 | — | Upgrade kernel-abi-stablelistsUpgrade kernel-toolsUpgrade kernel-tools-libsUpgrade bpftoolUpgrade python3-perfUpgrade kernel | Aug 13, 2025 | Aug 9, 2025 |
| Redhat_linux | — | No solution exists | Jul 9, 2025 | May 5, 2025 |
| Ubuntu | — | No solution exists | Jun 26, 2025 | May 5, 2025 |
Prioritise with Active Threat Intelligence
With curated Threat Intelligence, you can see which vulnerabilities truly put you at risk, prioritize what matters most, and act before attackers do.
Explore Intelligence Hub