Linux: Use After Free
CVE-2025-38536 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 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 df6bf96b41e547e350667bc4c143be53646d070d, 3cd582e7d0787506990ef0180405eb6224fa90a6 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 0.16% 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 df6bf96b41e547e350667bc4c143be53646d070d or 3cd582e7d0787506990ef0180405eb6224fa90a6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.15.8 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 23290c7bc190def4e1ca61610992d9b7c32e33f3 up to, but not including, df6bf96b41e547e350667bc4c143be53646d070d; 23290c7bc190def4e1ca61610992d9b7c32e33f3 up to, but not including, 3cd582e7d0787506990ef0180405eb6224fa90a6; 6.15 | df6bf96b41e547e350667bc4c143be53646d070d, 3cd582e7d0787506990ef0180405eb6224fa90a6 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.15 up to, but not including, 6.15.8; 6.16 | 6.15.8 |
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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- 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:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: airoha: fix potential use-after-free in airoha_npu_get() np->name was being used after calling of_node_put(np), which releases the node and can lead to a use-after-free bug. Previously, of_node_put(np) was called unconditionally after of_find_device_by_node(np), which could result in a use-after-free if pdev is NULL. This patch moves of_node_put(np) after the error check to ensure the node is only released after both the error and success cases are handled appropriately, preventing potential resource issues.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
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- 7.8 High severity
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