Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc2 try_module_get privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc2. The affected element is the function try_module_get. The manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-38416. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc2. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: NFC: nci: uart: Set tty->disc_data only in success path Setting tty->disc_data before opening the NCI device means we need to clean it up on error paths. This also opens some short window if device starts sending data, even before NCIUARTSETDRIVER IOCTL succeeded (broken hardware?). Close the window by exposing tty->disc_data only on the success path, when opening of the NCI device and try_module_get() succeeds. The code differs in error path in one aspect: tty->disc_data won't be ever assigned thus NULL-ified. This however should not be relevant difference, because of "tty->disc_data=NULL" in nci_uart_tty_open().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38416 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 264318 (Oracle Linux 7 / 8 : Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2025-20553)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.295, 5.10.239, 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.95, 6.12.35, 6.15.4 or 6.16-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch a514fca2b8e95838a3ba600f31a18fa60b76d893/000bfbc6bc334a93fffca8f5aa9583e7b6356cb5/ac6992f72bd8e22679c1e147ac214de6a7093c23/dc7722619a9c307e9938d735cf4a2210d3d48dcb/a8acc7080ad55c5402a1b818b3008998247dda87/55c3dbd8389636161090a2b2b6d2d709b9602e9c/e9799db771b2d574d5bf0dfb3177485e5f40d4d6/fc27ab48904ceb7e4792f0c400f1ef175edf16fe 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 (264318), EUVD (EUVD-2025-22670) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1653). 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
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • 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: 6.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.1

VulDB Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
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: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
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: 264318
Nessus Name: Oracle Linux 7 / 8 : Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2025-20553)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.295/5.10.239/5.15.186/6.1.142/6.6.95/6.12.35/6.15.4/6.16-rc3
Patch: a514fca2b8e95838a3ba600f31a18fa60b76d893/000bfbc6bc334a93fffca8f5aa9583e7b6356cb5/ac6992f72bd8e22679c1e147ac214de6a7093c23/dc7722619a9c307e9938d735cf4a2210d3d48dcb/a8acc7080ad55c5402a1b818b3008998247dda87/55c3dbd8389636161090a2b2b6d2d709b9602e9c/e9799db771b2d574d5bf0dfb3177485e5f40d4d6/fc27ab48904ceb7e4792f0c400f1ef175edf16fe

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/25/2025 +100 days Advisory disclosed
07/25/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/03/2026 +162 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38416 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38416
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317675
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1653 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/25/2025 16:20
Updated: 01/03/2026 21:11
Changes: 07/25/2025 16:20 (56), 07/25/2025 17:26 (1), 08/20/2025 20:31 (7), 09/13/2025 02:34 (2), 09/14/2025 20:13 (1), 09/16/2025 05:13 (1), 09/28/2025 22:58 (1), 11/02/2025 10:14 (1), 11/17/2025 03:50 (1), 12/24/2025 06:17 (12), 01/03/2026 21:11 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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