CVE-2025-38510
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a potential deadlock vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KASAN (Kernel Address SANitizer) subsystem. When KASAN attempts to report an invalid memory access, it calls kasan_find_vm_area(), which can trigger a deadlock if called in atomic context. This affects systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with KASAN enabled.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
System deadlock leading to kernel panic and complete system unavailability requiring hard reboot.
Likely Case
System instability or kernel panic when KASAN detects invalid memory access under specific timing conditions.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact from KASAN reporting changes; no security impact if KASAN is disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific timing conditions in kernel memory management and KASAN reporting.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits that remove kasan_find_vm_area()
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c3566d831def922cd56322c772a7b20d8b0e0c0
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fix commits. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify KASAN configuration if debugging is required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable KASAN
allDisable Kernel Address SANitizer feature since this is typically a debugging tool not needed in production.
Recompile kernel with CONFIG_KASAN=n
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure KASAN is disabled in production environments
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic or deadlock indicators
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and KASAN configuration: grep CONFIG_KASAN /boot/config-$(uname -r)Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and check for presence of kasan_find_vm_area in kernel symbols: grep kasan_find_vm_area /proc/kallsyms📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Deadlock detection warnings
- KASAN error reports
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local kernel issue
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "deadlock" OR "KASAN")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c3566d831def922cd56322c772a7b20d8b0e0c0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d89dab1ea6086e6cbe6fe92531b496fb6808cb9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/595f78d99b9051600233c0a5c4c47e1097e6ed01
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ee9b3d84775944fb8c8a447961cd01274ac671c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8377d7744bdce5c4b3f1b58924eebd3fdc078dfc
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html
