Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3/6.16-rc2 nouveau r535_gsp_rpc_push use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3/6.16-rc2. The affected element is the function r535_gsp_rpc_push of the component nouveau. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38187. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3/6.16-rc2 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function r535_gsp_rpc_push of the component nouveau. 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: drm/nouveau: fix a use-after-free in r535_gsp_rpc_push() The RPC container is released after being passed to r535_gsp_rpc_send(). When sending the initial fragment of a large RPC and passing the caller's RPC container, the container will be freed prematurely. Subsequent attempts to send remaining fragments will therefore result in a use-after-free. Allocate a temporary RPC container for holding the initial fragment of a large RPC when sending. Free the caller's container when all fragments are successfully sent. [ Rebase onto Blackwell changes. - Danilo ]

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38187 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/08/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 253428 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:02923-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.15.4 or 6.16-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch cd4677407c0ee250fc21e36439c8a442ddd62cc1/9802f0a63b641f4cddb2139c814c2e95cb825099 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 (253428), EUVD (EUVD-2025-20069) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1465). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Affected

• 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

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.15.0
• 6.15.1
• 6.15.2
• 6.15.3
• 6.16-rc1
• 6.16-rc2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Entryinfo

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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