Linux Kernel up to 6.15.4/6.16-rc3 HID appletb_kbd_probe reference count

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.4/6.16-rc3. It has been rated as critical. This impacts the function appletb_kbd_probe of the component HID. This manipulation causes reference count. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38235. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.4/6.16-rc3 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function appletb_kbd_probe of the component HID. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: HID: appletb-kbd: fix "appletb_backlight" backlight device reference counting During appletb_kbd_probe, probe attempts to get the backlight device by name. When this happens backlight_device_get_by_name looks for a device in the backlight class which has name "appletb_backlight" and upon finding a match it increments the reference count for the device and returns it to the caller. However this reference is never released leading to a reference leak. Fix this by decrementing the backlight device reference count on removal via put_device and on probe failure.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-38235 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 246867 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38235), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.15.5 or 6.16-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 751d5437112a3f387de4ef6d2d1c131068ff7627/4540e41e753a7d69ecd3f5bad51fe620205c3a18 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 (246867), EUVD (EUVD-2025-20134) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1465). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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

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Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
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: 246867
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38235

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.15.5/6.16-rc4
Patch: 751d5437112a3f387de4ef6d2d1c131068ff7627/4540e41e753a7d69ecd3f5bad51fe620205c3a18

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/06/2025 +81 days Advisory disclosed
07/06/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/14/2025 +161 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38235 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38235
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-315049
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1465 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 07/06/2025 20:51
Updated: 12/14/2025 10:39
Changes: 07/06/2025 20:51 (59), 07/06/2025 21:30 (1), 07/20/2025 21:24 (7), 08/10/2025 18:30 (2), 08/25/2025 23:39 (1), 09/12/2025 06:06 (1), 09/21/2025 13:28 (1), 11/18/2025 17:55 (11), 12/14/2025 10:39 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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