Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc5 vsock_use_local_transport memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc5. The affected element is the function vsock_use_local_transport. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-38461. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc5. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function vsock_use_local_transport. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vsock: Fix transport_* TOCTOU Transport assignment may race with module unload. Protect new_transport from becoming a stale pointer. This also takes care of an insecure call in vsock_use_local_transport(); add a lockdep assert. BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: fffffbfff8056000 Oops: Oops: 0000 [#1] SMP KASAN RIP: 0010:vsock_assign_transport+0x366/0x600 Call Trace: vsock_connect+0x59c/0xc40 __sys_connect+0xe8/0x100 __x64_sys_connect+0x6e/0xc0 do_syscall_64+0x92/0x1c0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38461 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. 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 01/04/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 246870 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38461), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.10.240, 5.15.189, 6.1.146, 6.6.99, 6.12.39, 6.15.7 or 6.16-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 8667e8d0eb46bc54fdae30ba2f4786407d3d88eb/36a439049b34cca0b3661276049b84a1f76cc21a/9ce53e744f18e73059d3124070e960f3aa9902bf/9d24bb6780282b0255b9929abe5e8f98007e2c6e/ae2c712ba39c7007de63cb0c75b51ce1caaf1da5/7b73bddf54777fb62d4d8c7729d0affe6df04477/687aa0c5581b8d4aa87fd92973e4ee576b550cdf 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 (246870), EUVD (EUVD-2025-22680) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1653). 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
  • 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: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 4.7
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: 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: 246870
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38461

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.240/5.15.189/6.1.146/6.6.99/6.12.39/6.15.7/6.16-rc6
Patch: 8667e8d0eb46bc54fdae30ba2f4786407d3d88eb/36a439049b34cca0b3661276049b84a1f76cc21a/9ce53e744f18e73059d3124070e960f3aa9902bf/9d24bb6780282b0255b9929abe5e8f98007e2c6e/ae2c712ba39c7007de63cb0c75b51ce1caaf1da5/7b73bddf54777fb62d4d8c7729d0affe6df04477/687aa0c5581b8d4aa87fd92973e4ee576b550cdf

Timelineinfo

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

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38461 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38461
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317752
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1653 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/25/2025 19:34
Updated: 01/04/2026 00:15
Changes: 07/25/2025 19:34 (58), 07/28/2025 08:10 (1), 07/30/2025 04:17 (1), 08/10/2025 18:30 (2), 08/22/2025 22:44 (7), 09/15/2025 05:37 (1), 09/29/2025 02:26 (1), 11/02/2025 13:58 (1), 12/23/2025 02:41 (11), 01/04/2026 00:15 (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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