Use-After-Free in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-38116)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-38116). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: ath12k: fix uaf in ath12k_core_init()
When the execution of ath12k_core_hw_group_assign() or
ath12k_core_hw_group_create() fails, the registered notifier chain is not
unregistered properly. Its memory is freed after rmmod, which may trigger
to a use-after-free (UAF) issue if there is a subsequent access to this
notifier chain.
Fixes the issue by calling ath12k_core_panic_notifier_unregister() in
failure cases.
Call trace:
notifier_chain_register+0x4c/0x1f0 (P)
atomic_notifier_chain_register+0x38/0x68
ath12k_core_init+0x50/0x4e8 [ath12k]
ath12k_pci_probe+0x5f8/0xc28 [ath12k]
pci_device_probe+0xbc/0x1a8
really_probe+0xc8/0x3a0
__driver_probe_device+0x84/0x1b0
driver_probe_device+0x44/0x130
__driver_attach+0xcc/0x208
bus_for_each_dev+0x84/0x100
driver_attach+0x2c/0x40
bus_add_driver+0x130/0x260
driver_register+0x70/0x138
__pci_register_driver+0x68/0x80
ath12k_pci_init+0x30/0x68 [ath12k]
ath12k_init+0x28/0x78 [ath12k]
Tested-on: WCN7850 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HMT.1.0.c5-00481-QCAHMTSWPL_V1.0_V2.0_SILICONZ-3
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-38116 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2025-38116" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-38116 (Linux kernel) — CWE-416 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
Use-after-free (CWE-416) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2025-38116 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.18.35-r1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-38116 linux-hwe-edge
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org