Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2 rescan_work_func use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$0-$5k2.20

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2. It has been classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function rescan_work_func. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2025-38137. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function rescan_work_func. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: PCI/pwrctrl: Cancel outstanding rescan work when unregistering It's possible to trigger use-after-free here by: (a) forcing rescan_work_func() to take a long time and (b) utilizing a pwrctrl driver that may be unloaded for some reason Cancel outstanding work to ensure it is finished before we allow our data structures to be cleaned up. [bhelgaas: tidy commit log]

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38137 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known 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 04/18/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 247808 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38137), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.15.3 or 6.16-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b3ad6d23fec23fbef382ce9ea640c37446593cf5/8b926f237743f020518162c62b93cb7107a2b5eb 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 (247808), EUVD (EUVD-2025-19806) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1452). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

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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: 247808
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38137

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.15.3/6.16-rc1
Patch: b3ad6d23fec23fbef382ce9ea640c37446593cf5/8b926f237743f020518162c62b93cb7107a2b5eb

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/03/2025 +78 days Advisory disclosed
07/03/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/18/2026 +288 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38137 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38137
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-314711
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1452 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/03/2025 12:06
Updated: 04/18/2026 01:41
Changes: 07/03/2025 12:06 (58), 07/03/2025 14:04 (1), 08/11/2025 05:40 (2), 08/23/2025 19:11 (7), 09/21/2025 19:51 (1), 11/09/2025 14:48 (1), 11/21/2025 03:12 (12), 12/06/2025 16:43 (1), 04/18/2026 01:41 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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