Linux: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2025-38342 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 142acd739eb6f08c148a96ae8309256f1422ff4b, 56ce76e8d406cc72b89aee7931df5cf3f18db49d, 9324127b07dde8529222dc19233aa57ec810856c 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 0.2% 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 142acd739eb6f08c148a96ae8309256f1422ff4b or 56ce76e8d406cc72b89aee7931df5cf3f18db49d or 9324127b07dde8529222dc19233aa57ec810856c or f9397cf7bfb680799fb8c7f717c8f756384c3280, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 5.10.239 or 5.15.186 or 6.1.142 or 6.6.95, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, 142acd739eb6f08c148a96ae8309256f1422ff4b; 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, 56ce76e8d406cc72b89aee7931df5cf3f18db49d; 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, 9324127b07dde8529222dc19233aa57ec810856c; 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, f9397cf7bfb680799fb8c7f717c8f756384c3280; 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, 4b3383110b6df48e0ba5936af2cb68d5eb6bd43b; 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, 7af18e42bdefe1dba5bcb32555a4d524fd504939; 59abd83672f70cac4b6bf9b237506c5bc6837606 up to, but not including, 31e4e12e0e9609850cefd4b2e1adf782f56337d6; 5.0 | 142acd739eb6f08c148a96ae8309256f1422ff4b, 56ce76e8d406cc72b89aee7931df5cf3f18db49d, 9324127b07dde8529222dc19233aa57ec810856c, f9397cf7bfb680799fb8c7f717c8f756384c3280, 4b3383110b6df48e0ba5936af2cb68d5eb6bd43b, 7af18e42bdefe1dba5bcb32555a4d524fd504939 |
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP | V3.1.5 and later | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFP | V3.1.5 and later | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP | V3.1.5 and later | Not stated |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 5.0 up to, but not including, 5.10.239; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.186; 5.16 up to, but not including, 6.1.142; 6.2 up to, but not including, 6.6.95; 6.7 up to, but not including, 6.12.35; 6.13 up to, but not including, 6.15.4 | 5.10.239, 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.95, 6.12.35, 6.15.4 |
| 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.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.0 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | NVD |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: software node: Correct a OOB check in software_node_get_reference_args() software_node_get_reference_args() wants to get @index-th element, so the property value requires at least '(index + 1) * sizeof(*ref)' bytes but that can not be guaranteed by current OOB check, and may cause OOB for malformed property. Fix by using as OOB check '((index + 1) * sizeof(*ref) > prop->length)'.
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: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/142acd739eb6f08c148a96ae8309256f1422ff4b
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/31e4e12e0e9609850cefd4b2e1adf782f56337d6
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b3383110b6df48e0ba5936af2cb68d5eb6bd43b
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/56ce76e8d406cc72b89aee7931df5cf3f18db49d
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7af18e42bdefe1dba5bcb32555a4d524fd504939
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9324127b07dde8529222dc19233aa57ec810856c
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f9397cf7bfb680799fb8c7f717c8f756384c3280
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.htmlThird Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.htmlThird Party Advisory
Other references
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
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