Executive brief
A vulnerability was identified in the Linux kernel's MultiPath TCP (MPTCP) implementation, which is also used in certain Siemens industrial controllers. The flaw can cause a system crash (kernel panic) when a specific type of network connection closure occurs. This could lead to a denial-of-service, impacting the availability of affected servers or industrial equipment.
Technical details
A divide-by-zero vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel within the '__tcp_select_window()' function when handled by an MPTCP socket. The root cause is the failure to initialize 'rcv_mss' before calling 'tcp_send_active_reset()' in 'mptcp_do_fastclose()'. When 'rcv_mss' is 0, it triggers a division error during TCP window selection, resulting in a kernel panic. This can be triggered remotely via network traffic that forces an MPTCP fast-close scenario. Patches have been released for various stable Linux kernel branches (e.g., 6.1.y, 6.6.y, 6.11.y, 6.12.y).
Affected products
- Linux Linux Kernel Affected before fixed versions in 6.1, 6.6, 6.11, 6.12, and 6.13 branches
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.6 and all versions less than *
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.6 and all versions less than *
- Siemens SIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.6 and all versions less than *
Timeline
- 2025-11-25: disclosed: Initial patch submitted by Kuniyuki Iwashima
- 2025-12-07: patched: Patch committed to stable kernel trees
- 2025-12-16: advisory: CVE-2025-68291 published
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/05f5e26d488cdc7abc2a826cf1071782d5a21203
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/46b8b58f93f1b383c3840fc6e8fab6c3bce9295f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88163f85d59b4164884df900ee171720fd26686b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eee39f83246a81d970a9ecb7392b7ab74e660094
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f07f4ea53e22429c84b20832fa098b5ecc0d4e35
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html