CVE-2025-38076
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's memory allocation tagging system allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes. This affects Linux systems with memory allocation profiling enabled when modules are loaded and unloaded. Attackers need local access to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially leading to data corruption or system instability.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls preventing local attackers from loading/unloading kernel modules.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to load/unload kernel modules. Exploitation requires triggering specific memory access patterns after module unloading.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 12ca42c237756182aad8ab04654c952765cb9061 and 3cc733e6d96c938d2b82be96858a0ab900eb6fdc
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/12ca42c237756182aad8ab04654c952765cb9061
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable memory allocation profiling
linuxDisable CONFIG_MEM_ALLOC_PROFILING kernel configuration option
echo 0 > /sys/kernel/debug/memalloc_profiling/enable
Restrict module loading
linuxPrevent unauthorized users from loading/unloading kernel modules
sysctl -w kernel.modules_disabled=1
chmod 600 /proc/sys/kernel/modules_disabled
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from loading/unloading kernel modules
- Disable memory allocation profiling feature if not required for system operation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if kernel has memory allocation profiling enabled and if running vulnerable version: cat /proc/version | grep -E '12ca42c237756182aad8ab04654c952765cb9061|3cc733e6d96c938d2b82be96858a0ab900eb6fdc'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits: uname -r and check with distribution vendor for patched versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages related to memory allocation
- System crashes after module unloading
- Unexpected kernel panics
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("Oops" OR "panic" OR "BUG") AND ("alloc_tag" OR "module" OR "percpu")