CVE-2025-21743·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usbnet: ipheth: fix possible overflow in DPE length check Originally, it was possible for the DPE length check to overflow if wDatagramIndex + wDatagramLength > U16_MAX. This could lead to an OoB read. Move the wDatagramIndex term to the other side of the inequality. An existing condition ensures that wDatagramIndex < urb->actual_length.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.13.3
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 11% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2025-21743 scores 7.1 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.13
Until: 6.13.3
Fixed in: 6.13.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.13.3 or later to patch an integer overflow vulnerability in the USB iPhone Ethernet driver (ipheth) that could lead to out-of-bounds memory reads. Systems running kernel versions 6.13 through 6.13.2 should prioritize this update, as the flaw affects datagram length validation in the USB network interface handler.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` — vulnerable versions are 6.13.0, 6.13.1, and 6.13.2
- Step 2: Verify if ipheth (USB iPhone Ethernet) driver is loaded by running `lsmod | grep ipheth` — if output appears, the vulnerable component is present
- Step 3: Search system logs for USB device enumeration errors or out-of-bounds read panics with `sudo dmesg | grep -i 'ipheth\|oob\|overflow'`
- Step 4: After applying the update, confirm the new kernel version with `uname -r` and verify it is 6.13.3 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2025-21743?
CVE-2025-21743 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ipheth USB driver that fails to properly validate datagram boundaries, allowing an attacker with local USB access to trigger out-of-bounds memory reads and potentially crash the system or leak sensitive kernel data.
Is CVE-2025-21743 being actively exploited?
No, there is currently no evidence of active exploitation or publicly available exploit code for CVE-2025-21743 according to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2025-21743?
Linux kernel versions 6.13.0 through 6.13.2 are vulnerable; version 6.13.3 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2025-21743?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version; if it outputs 6.13.0, 6.13.1, or 6.13.2, and `lsmod | grep ipheth` returns output, your system is potentially vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2025-21743?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2025-21743 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2025-21743. Free for 1 server.
Get started free