Linux Kernel up to 6.14.8 alloc_tag free_module allocation of resources

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.14.8. Affected by this issue is the function free_module of the component alloc_tag. Such manipulation leads to allocation of resources. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2025-38076. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.14.8. Affected by this issue is the function free_module of the component alloc_tag. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a allocation of resources vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-770. The product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated, in violation of the intended security policy for that actor. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: alloc_tag: allocate percpu counters for module tags dynamically When a module gets unloaded it checks whether any of its tags are still in use and if so, we keep the memory containing module's allocation tags alive until all tags are unused. However percpu counters referenced by the tags are freed by free_module(). This will lead to UAF if the memory allocated by a module is accessed after module was unloaded. To fix this we allocate percpu counters for module allocation tags dynamically and we keep it alive for tags which are still in use after module unloading. This also removes the requirement of a larger PERCPU_MODULE_RESERVE when memory allocation profiling is enabled because percpu memory for counters does not need to be reserved anymore.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38076 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265934 (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 25.04 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-7769-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.14.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3cc733e6d96c938d2b82be96858a0ab900eb6fdc/12ca42c237756182aad8ab04654c952765cb9061 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 (265934), EUVD (EUVD-2025-18577) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1350). 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
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell Avamar
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway
• IBM QRadar SIEM

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.14.0
• 6.14.1
• 6.14.2
• 6.14.3
• 6.14.4
• 6.14.5
• 6.14.6
• 6.14.7
• 6.14.8

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

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

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