Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc1 posix-cpu-timers handle_posix_cpu_timers state issue

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc1. The affected element is the function handle_posix_cpu_timers of the component posix-cpu-timers. Executing a manipulation can lead to state issue. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38352. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc1. This vulnerability affects the function handle_posix_cpu_timers of the component posix-cpu-timers. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a state issue vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-371. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: fix race between handle_posix_cpu_timers() and posix_cpu_timer_del() If an exiting non-autoreaping task has already passed exit_notify() and calls handle_posix_cpu_timers() from IRQ, it can be reaped by its parent or debugger right after unlock_task_sighand(). If a concurrent posix_cpu_timer_del() runs at that moment, it won't be able to detect timer->it.cpu.firing != 0: cpu_timer_task_rcu() and/or lock_task_sighand() will fail. Add the tsk->exit_state check into run_posix_cpu_timers() to fix this. This fix is not needed if CONFIG_POSIX_CPU_TIMERS_TASK_WORK=y, because exit_task_work() is called before exit_notify(). But the check still makes sense, task_work_add(&tsk->posix_cputimers_work.work) will fail anyway in this case.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38352 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 12/02/2025).

It is declared as attacked. 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. This issue was added on 09/04/2025 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog with a due date of 09/25/2025:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Upgrading to version 5.4.295, 5.10.239, 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.12.34, 6.15.3 or 6.16-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 78a4b8e3795b31dae58762bc091bb0f4f74a2200/c076635b3a42771ace7d276de8dc3bc76ee2ba1b/2f3daa04a9328220de46f0d5c919a6c0073a9f0b/764a7a5dfda23f69919441f2eac2a83e7db6e5bb/2c72fe18cc5f9f1750f5bc148cf1c94c29e106ff/c29d5318708e67ac13c1b6fc1007d179fb65b4d7/460188bc042a3f40f72d34b9f7fc6ee66b0b757b/f90fff1e152dedf52b932240ebbd670d83330eca 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 Zero-Day.cz (1026), Tenable (253428), EUVD (EUVD-2025-22297) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1620). 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
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • IBM TXSeries
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • IBM QRadar SIEM

Productinfo

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Name

Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.4

VulDB Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: State issue
CWE: CWE-371
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Attacked

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

KEV Added: 🔒
KEV Due: 🔒
KEV Remediation: 🔒
KEV Ransomware: 🔒
KEV Notice: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 253428
Nessus Name: SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:02923-1)

Zero-Day.cz: 🔒

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.295/5.10.239/5.15.186/6.1.142/6.6.94/6.12.34/6.15.3/6.16-rc2
Patch: 78a4b8e3795b31dae58762bc091bb0f4f74a2200/c076635b3a42771ace7d276de8dc3bc76ee2ba1b/2f3daa04a9328220de46f0d5c919a6c0073a9f0b/764a7a5dfda23f69919441f2eac2a83e7db6e5bb/2c72fe18cc5f9f1750f5bc148cf1c94c29e106ff/c29d5318708e67ac13c1b6fc1007d179fb65b4d7/460188bc042a3f40f72d34b9f7fc6ee66b0b757b/f90fff1e152dedf52b932240ebbd670d83330eca

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/22/2025 +97 days Advisory disclosed
07/22/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/02/2025 +133 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38352 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38352
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317224
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1620 - Linux Kernel: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 07/22/2025 13:52
Updated: 12/02/2025 10:03
Changes: 07/22/2025 13:52 (58), 08/21/2025 23:09 (2), 09/01/2025 10:08 (7), 09/03/2025 01:45 (1), 09/03/2025 10:40 (1), 09/04/2025 20:34 (6), 09/04/2025 22:10 (9), 09/16/2025 12:34 (3), 10/09/2025 14:23 (1), 11/02/2025 15:36 (1), 11/15/2025 15:10 (1), 12/02/2025 10:03 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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