CVE-2025-38445
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-return vulnerability in the Linux kernel's RAID1 subsystem allows accessing stack memory after it has been freed. This can lead to kernel panics and system crashes. Affects systems using Linux kernel RAID1 (mirroring) with specific versions.
💻 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 →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
Kernel panic leading to system crash, denial of service, and potential data corruption in RAID arrays.
Likely Case
System crash or instability when RAID1 operations trigger the vulnerable code path during reshape operations.
If Mitigated
No impact if the vulnerable code path is not triggered during normal operations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific RAID1 reshape operations. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with fixes from git references: 12b00ec99624f8da8c325f2dd6e807df26df0025 and related commits.
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/12b00ec99624f8da8c325f2dd6e807df26df0025
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid RAID1 reshape operations
linuxPrevent triggering the vulnerable code path by avoiding RAID1 reshape operations.
# Monitor and avoid mdadm --grow or reshape commands on RAID1 arrays
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor RAID1 arrays and avoid reshape operations.
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized RAID management.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if RAID1 is in use: uname -r and cat /proc/mdstatCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to include the fix commits.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs, RAID reshape operation logs in /var/log/messages or dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or RAID reshape operations in system logs.🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/12b00ec99624f8da8c325f2dd6e807df26df0025
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/48da050b4f54ed639b66278d0ae6f4107b2c4e2d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5f35e48b76655e45522df338876dfef88dafcc71
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/61fd5e93006cf82ec8ee5c115ab5cf4bbd104bdb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/776e6186dc9ecbdb8a1b706e989166c8a99bbf64
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d67ed2ccd2d1dcfda9292c0ea8697a9d0f2f0d98
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d8a6853d00fbaa810765c8ed2f452a5832273968
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/df5894014a92ff0196dbc212a7764e97366fd2b7
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html
