Linux Kernel up to 6.12.23/6.13.11/6.14.2/6.15-rc1 try_module_get use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.23/6.13.11/6.14.2/6.15-rc1. Affected by this issue is the function try_module_get. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2025-37845. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.23/6.13.11/6.14.2/6.15-rc1 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function try_module_get. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: fprobe events: Fix possible UAF on modules Commit ac91052f0ae5 ("tracing: tprobe-events: Fix leakage of module refcount") moved try_module_get() from __find_tracepoint_module_cb() to find_tracepoint() caller, but that introduced a possible UAF because the module can be unloaded before try_module_get(). In this case, the module object should be freed too. Thus, try_module_get() does not only fail but may access to the freed object. To avoid that, try_module_get() in __find_tracepoint_module_cb() again.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-37845 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/14/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 240657 (Ubuntu 25.04 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-7594-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.24, 6.13.12, 6.14.3 or 6.15-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 868df4eb784c3ccc7e4340a9ea993cbbedca167e/a27d2de2472b1cc7d582ab405d1d5832a80481de/626f01f4d26e8cf92e69c1df53036153c8e98a20/dd941507a9486252d6fcf11814387666792020f3 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (240657) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1114). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• Dell Avamar
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
• 6.12.8
• 6.12.9
• 6.12.10
• 6.12.11
• 6.12.12
• 6.12.13
• 6.12.14
• 6.12.15
• 6.12.16
• 6.12.17
• 6.12.18
• 6.12.19
• 6.12.20
• 6.12.21
• 6.12.22
• 6.12.23
• 6.13.0
• 6.13.1
• 6.13.2
• 6.13.3
• 6.13.4
• 6.13.5
• 6.13.6
• 6.13.7
• 6.13.8
• 6.13.9
• 6.13.10
• 6.13.11
• 6.14.0
• 6.14.1
• 6.14.2
• 6.15-rc1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion