Linux: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2025-38249 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 24ff7d465c4284529bbfa207757bffb6f44b6403, 2dc1c3edf67abd30c757f8054a5da61927cdda21, c3fb926abe90d86f5e3055e0035f04d9892a118b as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.19% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to 24ff7d465c4284529bbfa207757bffb6f44b6403 or 2dc1c3edf67abd30c757f8054a5da61927cdda21 or c3fb926abe90d86f5e3055e0035f04d9892a118b or 6eb211788e1370af52a245d4d7da35c374c7b401, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 5.4.296 or 5.10.240 or 5.15.187 or 6.1.143, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, 24ff7d465c4284529bbfa207757bffb6f44b6403; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, 2dc1c3edf67abd30c757f8054a5da61927cdda21; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, c3fb926abe90d86f5e3055e0035f04d9892a118b; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, 6eb211788e1370af52a245d4d7da35c374c7b401; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, 74fcb3852a2f579151ce80b9ed96cd916ba0d5d8; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, 0ee87c2814deb5e42921281116ac3abcb326880b; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, 11e740dc1a2c8590eb7074b5c4ab921bb6224c36; 9a2fe9b801f585baccf8352d82839dcd54b300cf up to, but not including, fb4e2a6e8f28a3c0ad382e363aeb9cd822007b8a; and 1 more ranges | 24ff7d465c4284529bbfa207757bffb6f44b6403, 2dc1c3edf67abd30c757f8054a5da61927cdda21, c3fb926abe90d86f5e3055e0035f04d9892a118b, 6eb211788e1370af52a245d4d7da35c374c7b401, 74fcb3852a2f579151ce80b9ed96cd916ba0d5d8, 0ee87c2814deb5e42921281116ac3abcb326880b |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 4.17 up to, but not including, 5.4.296; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.240; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.187; 5.16 up to, but not including, 6.1.143; 6.2 up to, but not including, 6.6.96; 6.7 up to, but not including, 6.12.36; 6.13 up to, but not including, 6.15.5; 6.16 | 5.4.296, 5.10.240, 5.15.187, 6.1.143, 6.6.96, 6.12.36 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 11.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: usb-audio: Fix out-of-bounds read in snd_usb_get_audioformat_uac3() In snd_usb_get_audioformat_uac3(), the length value returned from snd_usb_ctl_msg() is used directly for memory allocation without validation. This length is controlled by the USB device. The allocated buffer is cast to a uac3_cluster_header_descriptor and its fields are accessed without verifying that the buffer is large enough. If the device returns a smaller than expected length, this leads to an out-of-bounds read. Add a length check to ensure the buffer is large enough for uac3_cluster_header_descriptor.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ee87c2814deb5e42921281116ac3abcb326880b
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/11e740dc1a2c8590eb7074b5c4ab921bb6224c36
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/24ff7d465c4284529bbfa207757bffb6f44b6403
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dc1c3edf67abd30c757f8054a5da61927cdda21
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6eb211788e1370af52a245d4d7da35c374c7b401
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/74fcb3852a2f579151ce80b9ed96cd916ba0d5d8
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c3fb926abe90d86f5e3055e0035f04d9892a118b
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb4e2a6e8f28a3c0ad382e363aeb9cd822007b8a
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
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