Vulnerability in Linux Kernel (CVE-2025-39738)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux Kernel (CVE-2025-39738). Data can be tampered with by attackers.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
btrfs: do not allow relocation of partially dropped subvolumes
[BUG]
There is an internal report that balance triggered transaction abort,
with the following call trace:
item 85 key (594509824 169 0) itemoff 12599 itemsize 33
extent refs 1 gen 197740 flags 2
ref#0: tree block backref root 7
item 86 key (594558976 169 0) itemoff 12566 itemsize 33
extent refs 1 gen 197522 flags 2
ref#0: tree block backref root 7
...
BTRFS error (device loop0): extent item not found for insert, bytenr 594526208 num_bytes 16384 parent 449921024 root_objectid 934 owner 1 offset 0
BTRFS error (device loop0): failed to run delayed ref for logical 594526208 num_bytes 16384 type 182 action 1 ref_mod 1: -117
------------[ cut here ]------------
BTRFS: Transaction aborted (error -117)
WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 6963 at ../fs/btrfs/extent-tree.c:2168 btrfs_run_delayed_refs+0xfa/0x110 [btrfs]
And btrfs check doesn't report anything wrong related to the extent
tree.
[CAUSE]
The cause is a little complex, firstly the extent tree indeed doesn't
have the backref for 594526208.
The extent tree only have the following two backrefs around that bytenr
on-disk:
item 65 key (594509824 METADATA_ITEM 0) itemoff 13880 itemsize 33
refs 1 gen 197740 flags TREE_BLOCK
tree block skinny level 0
(176 0x7) tree block backref root CSUM_TREE
item…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD GitHub Advisory
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-2025-39738 has been found in Linux Kernel.
Data can be tampered with by attackers. CVSS score: 7.3/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux Kernel CVE-2025-39738" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-39738 (Linux Kernel) — CVSS v3 7.3
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.
A vulnerability (unclassified) exists in Linux Kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux Kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.3/10). Data can be tampered with by attackers.
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。
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2025-39738 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.1.151-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2025-39738 linux Fixed in: 6.1.153-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-39738 linux
References
- advisory lists.debian.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- patch git.kernel.org
- web cert-portal.siemens.com
- web nvd.nist.gov
- web github.com