Linux Kernel up to 6.12.28/6.14.6/6.15-rc5 pci_dev_put use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.28/6.14.6/6.15-rc5. This impacts the function pci_dev_put. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-37946. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.28/6.14.6/6.15-rc5. This vulnerability affects the function pci_dev_put. 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. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/pci: Fix duplicate pci_dev_put() in disable_slot() when PF has child VFs With commit bcb5d6c76903 ("s390/pci: introduce lock to synchronize state of zpci_dev's") the code to ignore power off of a PF that has child VFs was changed from a direct return to a goto to the unlock and pci_dev_put() section. The change however left the existing pci_dev_put() untouched resulting in a doubple put. This can subsequently cause a use after free if the struct pci_dev is released in an unexpected state. Fix this by removing the extra pci_dev_put().

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-37946 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 12/14/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 242283 (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS : Linux kernel (OEM) vulnerabilities (USN-7650-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.29, 6.14.7 or 6.15-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch c488f8b53e156d6dcc0514ef0afa3a33376b8f9e/957529baef142d95e0d1b1bea786675bd47dbe53/05a2538f2b48500cf4e8a0a0ce76623cc5bafcf1 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 (242283) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1114). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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
• 6.12.24
• 6.12.25
• 6.12.26
• 6.12.27
• 6.12.28
• 6.14.0
• 6.14.1
• 6.14.2
• 6.14.3
• 6.14.4
• 6.14.5
• 6.14.6
• 6.15-rc1
• 6.15-rc2
• 6.15-rc3
• 6.15-rc4
• 6.15-rc5

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

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion