CVE-2025-38598 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdgpu: fix use-after-free in amdgpu_userq_suspend+0x51a/0x5a0
[ +0.000020] BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in amdgpu_userq_suspend+0x51a/0x5a0 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000817] Read of size 8 at addr ffff88812eec8c58 by task amd_pci_unplug/1733
[ +0.000027] CPU: 10 UID: 0 PID: 1733 Comm: amd_pci_unplug Tainted: G W 6.14.0+ #2
[ +0.000009] Tainted: [W]=WARN
[ +0.000003] Hardware name: ASUS System Product Name/ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING (WI-FI), BIOS 1401 12/03/2020
[ +0.000004] Call Trace:
[ +0.000004] <TASK>
[ +0.000003] dump_stack_lvl+0x76/0xa0
[ +0.000011] print_report+0xce/0x600
[ +0.000009] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000006] ? kasan_complete_mode_report_info+0x76/0x200
[ +0.000007] ? kasan_addr_to_slab+0xd/0xb0
[ +0.000006] ? amdgpu_userq_suspend+0x51a/0x5a0 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000707] kasan_report+0xbe/0x110
[ +0.000006] ? amdgpu_userq_suspend+0x51a/0x5a0 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000541] __asan_report_load8_noabort+0x14/0x30
[ +0.000005] amdgpu_userq_suspend+0x51a/0x5a0 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000535] ? stop_cpsch+0x396/0x600 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000556] ? stop_cpsch+0x429/0x600 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000536] ? __pfx_amdgpu_userq_suspend+0x10/0x10 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000536] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? kgd2kfd_suspend+0x132/0x1d0 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000542] amdgpu_device_fini_hw+0x581/0xe90 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000485] ? down_write+0xbb/0x140
[ +0.000007] ? __mutex_unlock_slowpath.constprop.0+0x317/0x360
[ +0.000005] ? __pfx_amdgpu_device_fini_hw+0x10/0x10 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000482] ? __kasan_check_write+0x14/0x30
[ +0.000004] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? up_write+0x55/0xb0
[ +0.000007] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000005] ? blocking_notifier_chain_unregister+0x6c/0xc0
[ +0.000008] amdgpu_driver_unload_kms+0x69/0x90 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000484] amdgpu_pci_remove+0x93/0x130 [amdgpu]
[ +0.000482] pci_device_remove+0xae/0x1e0
[ +0.000008] device_remove+0xc7/0x180
[ +0.000008] device_release_driver_internal+0x3d4/0x5a0
[ +0.000007] device_release_driver+0x12/0x20
[ +0.000004] pci_stop_bus_device+0x104/0x150
[ +0.000006] pci_stop_and_remove_bus_device_locked+0x1b/0x40
[ +0.000005] remove_store+0xd7/0xf0
[ +0.000005] ? __pfx_remove_store+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000006] ? __pfx__copy_from_iter+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000006] ? __pfx_dev_attr_store+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000006] dev_attr_store+0x3f/0x80
[ +0.000006] sysfs_kf_write+0x125/0x1d0
[ +0.000004] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000005] ? __kasan_check_write+0x14/0x30
[ +0.000005] kernfs_fop_write_iter+0x2ea/0x490
[ +0.000005] ? rw_verify_area+0x70/0x420
[ +0.000005] ? __pfx_kernfs_fop_write_iter+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000006] vfs_write+0x90d/0xe70
[ +0.000005] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000005] ? __pfx_vfs_write+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000004] ? local_clock+0x15/0x30
[ +0.000008] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? __kasan_slab_free+0x5f/0x80
[ +0.000005] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? __kasan_check_read+0x11/0x20
[ +0.000004] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? fdget_pos+0x1d3/0x500
[ +0.000007] ksys_write+0x119/0x220
[ +0.000005] ? putname+0x1c/0x30
[ +0.000006] ? __pfx_ksys_write+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000007] __x64_sys_write+0x72/0xc0
[ +0.000006] x64_sys_call+0x18ab/0x26f0
[ +0.000006] do_syscall_64+0x7c/0x170
[ +0.000004] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? __pfx___x64_sys_openat+0x10/0x10
[ +0.000006] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? __kasan_check_read+0x11/0x20
[ +0.000003] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? fpregs_assert_state_consistent+0x21/0xb0
[ +0.000006] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? syscall_exit_to_user_mode+0x4e/0x240
[ +0.000005] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? do_syscall_64+0x88/0x170
[ +0.000003] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5/0x5f
[ +0.000004] ? irqentry_exit+0x43/0x50
[ +0.000004] ? srso_return_thunk+0x5
---truncated---
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-38598 is a use-after-free condition within the AMD GPU driver component of the Linux kernel, specifically in the `amdgpu_userq_suspend` function. This flaw occurs during the process of suspending user queues in the amdgpu subsystem and is detected by KASAN, the kernel's address sanitizer. The issue manifests when a read operation attempts to access memory that has already been freed, leading to potential system instability or exploitation. The call trace indicates the problem originates from a read of size 8 at a specific memory address, which is accessed by the `amd_pci_unplug` process, suggesting that the vulnerability can be triggered during PCI device removal or unplug operations. This situation is particularly concerning as it involves direct hardware interaction and can occur during normal system operations such as hot-plugging or device removal.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the amdgpu driver, where a pointer to a user queue structure is freed but later accessed in the suspend function. According to CWE-416, this maps directly to the use-after-free vulnerability category, where memory that has been freed is accessed, violating memory safety principles. The flaw is particularly dangerous in the context of device removal operations, where the driver must properly manage the lifecycle of GPU resources. The kernel's memory management subsystem, particularly the slab allocator, detects this access violation and reports it through KASAN, which is designed to catch such memory errors during kernel development and testing phases.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-38598 can be severe, potentially leading to system crashes, data corruption, or in more advanced exploitation scenarios, privilege escalation or denial of service. The vulnerability is particularly relevant in systems utilizing AMD GPU hardware where device removal or system shutdown operations are performed. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain, potentially enabling an attacker to escalate privileges or disrupt system services by triggering the memory corruption during device management operations. The specific trigger points in the call stack, such as `amdgpu_device_fini_hw` and `amdgpu_pci_remove`, indicate that this issue is directly tied to the AMD GPU driver's shutdown sequence, making it a potential vector for exploitation during system maintenance or hardware management tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-38598 should focus on ensuring proper synchronization and memory management within the amdgpu driver. Kernel updates containing the patched version of the `amdgpu_userq_suspend` function are the primary defense mechanism. System administrators should apply patches promptly to address this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for KASAN reports and system crashes during device removal operations can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The fix should ensure that pointers are properly invalidated after memory deallocation and that no references to freed memory structures are maintained during the device suspension process. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as kernel lockdown modes and ensuring that GPU device management operations are performed with appropriate privileges and access controls to limit potential exploitation surfaces.