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CVE-2025-38172 high CVSS 7.8

Use-After-Free in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-38172)

Summary

Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-38172). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. Exploitable via erofs_init_device.

Original description

The description as published by the source.

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

erofs: avoid using multiple devices with different type

For multiple devices, both primary and extra devices should be the
same type. erofs_init_device has already guaranteed that if the
primary is a file-backed device, extra devices should also be
regular files.

However, if the primary is a block device while the extra device
is a file-backed device, erofs_init_device will get an ENOTBLK,
which is not treated as an error in erofs_fc_get_tree, and that
leads to an UAF:

erofs_fc_get_tree
get_tree_bdev_flags(erofs_fc_fill_super)
erofs_read_superblock
erofs_init_device // sbi->dif0 is not inited yet,
// return -ENOTBLK
deactivate_locked_super
free(sbi)
if (err is -ENOTBLK)
sbi->dif0.file = filp_open() // sbi UAF

So if -ENOTBLK is hitted in erofs_init_device, it means the
primary device must be a block device, and the extra device
is not a block device. The error can be converted to -EINVAL.

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-2025-38172 has been found in Linux kernel.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like erofs_init_device over the network to misuse the product.
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-2025-38172" on the vendor's site.

CVE-2025-38172 (Linux kernel) — CWE-416 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / unauthenticated
Attack surface: erofs_init_device / erofs_fc_get_tree
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.

❓ What is the problem

Use-after-free (CWE-416) exists in Linux kernel. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via erofs_init_device without authentication.

📍 Affected scope

Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel. Attack surface: erofs_init_device / erofs_fc_get_tree.

🔥 Severity

Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.

🔧 How to fix

Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.

🛡️ Workaround

Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.

🔍 Detection

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

  1. 1
    Identify 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。

  2. 2
    Post-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

Linux Kernel
[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"6.12.0"},{"fixed":"6.12.34"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"6.13.0"},{"fixed":"6.15.3"}]}]

Fix status by distribution

Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE

References

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