Linux: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2025-38657 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 417cfa9cc44fbe6bceab786f9a4ee5a210f1288e, 53cf488927a0f79968f9c03c4d1e00d2a79731c3 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 417cfa9cc44fbe6bceab786f9a4ee5a210f1288e or 53cf488927a0f79968f9c03c4d1e00d2a79731c3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 9dd85e739ce0765f022014c3e0713e1007d7ef60 up to, but not including, 417cfa9cc44fbe6bceab786f9a4ee5a210f1288e; 9dd85e739ce0765f022014c3e0713e1007d7ef60 up to, but not including, 53cf488927a0f79968f9c03c4d1e00d2a79731c3; 6.16 | 417cfa9cc44fbe6bceab786f9a4ee5a210f1288e, 53cf488927a0f79968f9c03c4d1e00d2a79731c3 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.16 | 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 | 7.3 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | NVD |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rtw89: mcc: prevent shift wrapping in rtw89_core_mlsr_switch() The "link_id" value comes from the user via debugfs. If it's larger than BITS_PER_LONG then that would result in shift wrapping and potentially an out of bounds access later. In fact, we can limit it to IEEE80211_MLD_MAX_NUM_LINKS (15). Fortunately, only root can write to debugfs files so the security impact is minimal.
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.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
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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