Linux KernelOperating system · Linux

CVE-2025-38323

HIGH · 7.8 CVSS v3.1 Published 2025-07-10

Fix available

A fix is available. Upgrade to 5.4.295 / 5.10.239 or later.

See remediation →

80/100

Remediation priority · High

Zero-click Patch available

Official description

NVD · unedited

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: atm: add lec_mutex syzbot found its way in net/atm/lec.c, and found an error path in lecd_attach() could leave a dangling pointer in dev_lec[]. Add a mutex to protect dev_lecp[] uses from lecd_attach(), lec_vcc_attach() and lec_mcast_attach(). Following patch will use this mutex for /proc/net/atm/lec. BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in lecd_attach net/atm/lec.c:751 [inline] BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in lane_ioctl+0x2224/0x23e0 net/atm/lec.c:1008 Read of size 8 at addr ffff88807c7b8e68 by task syz.1.17/6142 CPU: 1 UID: 0 PID: 6142 Comm: syz.1.17 Not tainted 6.16.0-rc1-syzkaller-00239-g08215f5486ec #0 PREEMPT(full) Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 05/07/2025 Call Trace: <TASK> __dump_stack lib/dump_stack.c:94 [inline] dump_stack_lvl+0x116/0x1f0 lib/dump_stack.c:120 print_address_description mm/kasan/report.c:408 [inline] print_report+0xcd/0x680 mm/kasan/report.c:521 kasan_report+0xe0/0x110 mm/kasan/report.c:634 lecd_attach net/atm/lec.c:751 [inline] lane_ioctl+0x2224/0x23e0 net/atm/lec.c:1008 do_vcc_ioctl+0x12c/0x930 net/atm/ioctl.c:159 sock_do_ioctl+0x118/0x280 net/socket.c:1190 sock_ioctl+0x227/0x6b0 net/socket.c:1311 vfs_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:51 [inline] __do_sys_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:907 [inline] __se_sys_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:893 [inline] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x18e/0x210 fs/ioctl.c:893 do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 [inline] do_syscall_64+0xcd/0x4c0 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f </TASK> Allocated by task 6132: kasan_save_stack+0x33/0x60 mm/kasan/common.c:47 kasan_save_track+0x14/0x30 mm/kasan/common.c:68 poison_kmalloc_redzone mm/kasan/common.c:377 [inline] __kasan_kmalloc+0xaa/0xb0 mm/kasan/common.c:394 kasan_kmalloc include/linux/kasan.h:260 [inline] __do_kmalloc_node mm/slub.c:4328 [inline] __kvmalloc_node_noprof+0x27b/0x620 mm/slub.c:5015 alloc_netdev_mqs+0xd2/0x1570 net/core/dev.c:11711 lecd_attach net/atm/lec.c:737 [inline] lane_ioctl+0x17db/0x23e0 net/atm/lec.c:1008 do_vcc_ioctl+0x12c/0x930 net/atm/ioctl.c:159 sock_do_ioctl+0x118/0x280 net/socket.c:1190 sock_ioctl+0x227/0x6b0 net/socket.c:1311 vfs_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:51 [inline] __do_sys_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:907 [inline] __se_sys_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:893 [inline] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x18e/0x210 fs/ioctl.c:893 do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 [inline] do_syscall_64+0xcd/0x4c0 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f Freed by task 6132: kasan_save_stack+0x33/0x60 mm/kasan/common.c:47 kasan_save_track+0x14/0x30 mm/kasan/common.c:68 kasan_save_free_info+0x3b/0x60 mm/kasan/generic.c:576 poison_slab_object mm/kasan/common.c:247 [inline] __kasan_slab_free+0x51/0x70 mm/kasan/common.c:264 kasan_slab_free include/linux/kasan.h:233 [inline] slab_free_hook mm/slub.c:2381 [inline] slab_free mm/slub.c:4643 [inline] kfree+0x2b4/0x4d0 mm/slub.c:4842 free_netdev+0x6c5/0x910 net/core/dev.c:11892 lecd_attach net/atm/lec.c:744 [inline] lane_ioctl+0x1ce8/0x23e0 net/atm/lec.c:1008 do_vcc_ioctl+0x12c/0x930 net/atm/ioctl.c:159 sock_do_ioctl+0x118/0x280 net/socket.c:1190 sock_ioctl+0x227/0x6b0 net/socket.c:1311 vfs_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:51 [inline] __do_sys_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:907 [inline] __se_sys_ioctl fs/ioctl.c:893 [inline] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x18e/0x210 fs/ioctl.c:893

Technical summary

dbcve analysis

How this class of weakness works · CWE-416

Memory is used after it has been freed, so its contents — now potentially attacker-controlled — drive the program's behaviour. With careful heap grooming this becomes code execution. The fix requires disciplined ownership of memory and often a targeted rework of the object lifecycle.

General guidance for the use after free class — the official description and references above are authoritative for this specific CVE. Want a bespoke review and a reviewed fix? Ask our team →

Affected products & versions

NVD · CPE data

Linux KernelOperating system

Affected:>= 2.6.13, < 5.4.295>= 5.5, < 5.10.239>= 5.11, < 5.15.186>= 5.16, < 6.1.142>= 6.2, < 6.6.95>= 6.7, < 6.12.35>= 6.13, < 6.15.4= 2.6.12= 6.16

Debian LinuxOperating system

Affected:= 11.0

CVSS breakdown

From the vector

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges: Low
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Remediation

dbcve · scoped

Upgrade available Upgrade to 5.4.295 / 5.10.239 / 5.15.186 or later

Fixed in 5.4.2955.10.2395.15.186

Vendor patch git.kernel.org →

Recommended fix High confidence

Linux Kernel 5.4.295, 5.10.239, 5.15.186, or 6.1.142 (depending on which branch you are on); for Debian 11, apply latest available kernel security updates

1. Identify the currently running kernel version using `uname -r`
2. Determine which kernel branch you are on (e.g., 5.4.x, 5.10.x, 5.15.x, 6.1.x)
3. For Debian 11 (Bullseye), check for available kernel security updates using `apt update && apt-cache policy linux-image-*`
4. Upgrade to a fixed kernel version: 5.4.295 or newer for the 5.4 branch, 5.10.239 or newer for the 5.10 branch, 5.15.186 or newer for the 5.15 branch, or 6.1.142 or newer for the 6.1 branch
5. Apply the upgrade using `apt-get install linux-image-<version>` or your distribution's package manager
6. Reboot the system to load the fixed kernel
7. Verify the new kernel version is running with `uname -r` and confirm the vulnerability is addressed

Caveat Kernel upgrades may require system reboot and could have compatibility implications with custom drivers or modules

Generated from the published advisory — verify against the referenced sources before acting.

We can perform the upgrade in your staging environment and verify nothing breaks — typical engagement from $3,200. Get the upgrade done

Scan for this in your stack

Free · runs locally

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References

Primary sources

git.kernel.orgPatch / commit
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
git.kernel.orgPatch
lists.debian.orgThird Party Advisory
lists.debian.orgThird Party Advisory
nvd.nist.govNVD record

Practitioner notes

Contributed

Peer-ranked notes from engineers who’ve handled CVE-2025-38323 in production — separate from our analysis above.

Notes0 Guidelines

Know something about CVE-2025-38323?

The advisory tells you what broke. It rarely tells you what actually worked. If you’ve dealt with this one, that detail is what the next engineer is searching for.

The version that genuinely resolved it — not the one the vendor claimed
A config change or rule that shut the vector down
A gotcha in the upgrade path that cost you an afternoon

No notes yet

Be the first to add a field note for this CVE — a mitigation you’ve verified, a version caveat, or a link to a working fix. Sign in above to contribute.

What this is

A place for practitioners to share what actually worked: a mitigation you’ve tested, a configuration change, a version- or environment-specific caveat, or a link to a verified patch. The most useful notes rise to the top as peers upvote them, so the signal stays high.

What belongs here

Verified mitigations, workarounds, and config changes
Version or environment caveats, and links to real fixes
No weaponised exploit code, or anything meant to cause harm
No spam, self-promotion, credentials, or personal data

At a glance

A fix existsUpgrade to 5.4.295 / 5.10.239 or later

Severity 7.8 High

Exploit likelihood EPSS, next 30 days 0.2%

Affects: Linux Kernel

Remediation

A high-priority fix

Get a fix

Estimated effortfrom ~18 hrs

ComplexityComplex

Typical engagementfrom $3,200

What a fix involves

We scope it with you and confirm a fixed quote
A specialist builds a reviewed fix
You deploy it to staging first
Optional re-test once it’s live

A high-priority vulnerability. Send your environment and a specialist will scope CVE-2025-38323 and return a fixed quote and timeline.

You’ll deal with our team directly and deploy the reviewed fix to staging first — never straight to production.

Official description Straight from the sourceThe vendor's or NVD's own wording, published unedited. Authoritative, but often terse — it says what broke, rarely what to do.

Technical summary Written by usOur analysis, written from the advisory, the CVSS vector and the affected-version data. It adds context the advisory leaves out, and never invents facts that are not in the source.

Affected products & versions What the vendor confirmedThe version ranges the vendor confirmed as vulnerable. If your version sits inside a range here, treat yourself as exposed until you have upgraded.

CVSS breakdown How the score is builtThe industry scoring standard. It rates how the flaw is reached, what it takes to exploit, and what an attacker gains — the score is derived from those, not the other way round.

Remediation Closing itWhat it takes to close this. Where a vendor fix exists we point at it; where none exists we say so plainly, and can build one. Effort estimates are scoped from the advisory, not from your codebase.

Scan for this in your stack

References Go to the primary sourcePrimary sources — vendor advisories, patches and trackers. Where our summary and a reference disagree, the reference wins.

Practitioner notes

No notes yet

Official description

Technical summary

Affected products & versions

CVSS breakdown

Remediation

References