Linux Kernel up to 6.6.93/6.12.33/6.15.2/6.16-rc1 _pf_vf_vports use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$0-$5k0.11

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.93/6.12.33/6.15.2/6.16-rc1. This vulnerability affects the function _pf_vf_vports. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-38109. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.93/6.12.33/6.15.2/6.16-rc1. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function _pf_vf_vports. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5: Fix ECVF vports unload on shutdown flow Fix shutdown flow UAF when a virtual function is created on the embedded chip (ECVF) of a BlueField device. In such case the vport acl ingress table is not properly destroyed. ECVF functionality is independent of ecpf_vport_exists capability and thus functions mlx5_eswitch_(enable|disable)_pf_vf_vports() should not test it when enabling/disabling ECVF vports. kernel log: [] refcount_t: underflow; use-after-free. [] WARNING: CPU: 3 PID: 1 at lib/refcount.c:28 refcount_warn_saturate+0x124/0x220 ---------------- [] Call trace: [] refcount_warn_saturate+0x124/0x220 [] tree_put_node+0x164/0x1e0 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_destroy_flow_table+0x98/0x2c0 [mlx5_core] [] esw_acl_ingress_table_destroy+0x28/0x40 [mlx5_core] [] esw_acl_ingress_lgcy_cleanup+0x80/0xf4 [mlx5_core] [] esw_legacy_vport_acl_cleanup+0x44/0x60 [mlx5_core] [] esw_vport_cleanup+0x64/0x90 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_esw_vport_disable+0xc0/0x1d0 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_eswitch_unload_ec_vf_vports+0xcc/0x150 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_eswitch_disable_sriov+0x198/0x2a0 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_device_disable_sriov+0xb8/0x1e0 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_sriov_detach+0x40/0x50 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_unload+0x40/0xc4 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_unload_one_devl_locked+0x6c/0xe4 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_unload_one+0x3c/0x60 [mlx5_core] [] shutdown+0x7c/0xa4 [mlx5_core] [] pci_device_shutdown+0x3c/0xa0 [] device_shutdown+0x170/0x340 [] __do_sys_reboot+0x1f4/0x2a0 [] __arm64_sys_reboot+0x2c/0x40 [] invoke_syscall+0x78/0x100 [] el0_svc_common.constprop.0+0x54/0x184 [] do_el0_svc+0x30/0xac [] el0_svc+0x48/0x160 [] el0t_64_sync_handler+0xa4/0x12c [] el0t_64_sync+0x1a4/0x1a8 [] --[ end trace 9c4601d68c70030e ]---

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-38109 since 04/16/2025. The exploitability is told 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 12/06/2025).

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 6.6.94, 6.12.34, 6.15.3 or 6.16-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5953ae44dfe5dbad374318875be834c3b7b71ee6/da15ca0553325acf68039015f2f4db750c8e2b96/24db585d369f949f698e03d7d8017e5ae19d0497/687560d8a9a2d654829ad0da1ec24242f1de711d 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) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1452). 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
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 265934
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 25.04 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-7769-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.94/6.12.34/6.15.3/6.16-rc2
Patch: 5953ae44dfe5dbad374318875be834c3b7b71ee6/da15ca0553325acf68039015f2f4db750c8e2b96/24db585d369f949f698e03d7d8017e5ae19d0497/687560d8a9a2d654829ad0da1ec24242f1de711d

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/03/2025 +78 days Advisory disclosed
07/03/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/06/2025 +156 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38109 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38109
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-314691
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1452 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/03/2025 11:39
Updated: 12/06/2025 03:20
Changes: 07/03/2025 11:39 (58), 08/23/2025 16:23 (7), 09/21/2025 15:38 (1), 09/28/2025 14:43 (2), 11/09/2025 11:48 (1), 11/21/2025 02:19 (12), 12/06/2025 03:20 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:215:103

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

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