Linux Kernel up to 6.6.99/6.12.39/6.15.7 KVM kmalloc_array privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.99/6.12.39/6.15.7. The affected element is the function kmalloc_array of the component KVM. Executing a manipulation can lead to an unknown weakness. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38469. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.99/6.12.39/6.15.7 and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function kmalloc_array of the component KVM. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: x86/xen: Fix cleanup logic in emulation of Xen schedop poll hypercalls kvm_xen_schedop_poll does a kmalloc_array() when a VM polls the host for more than one event channel potr (nr_ports > 1). After the kmalloc_array(), the error paths need to go through the "out" label, but the call to kvm_read_guest_virt() does not. [Adjusted commit message. - Paolo]

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38469 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 252231 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38469), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.100, 6.12.40 or 6.15.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3ee59c38ae7369ad1f7b846e05633ccf0d159fab/fd627ac8a5cff4d45269f164b13ddddc0726f2cc/061c553c66bc1638c280739999224c8000fd4602/5a53249d149f48b558368c5338b9921b76a12f8c 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 (252231) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1665). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • 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
  • NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
  • Dell PowerProtect Data Domain
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway
  • IBM Security Verify Access

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
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: 252231
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38469

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.100/6.12.40/6.15.8
Patch: 3ee59c38ae7369ad1f7b846e05633ccf0d159fab/fd627ac8a5cff4d45269f164b13ddddc0726f2cc/061c553c66bc1638c280739999224c8000fd4602/5a53249d149f48b558368c5338b9921b76a12f8c

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/28/2025 +103 days Advisory disclosed
07/28/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/25/2026 +181 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38469 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38469
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317884
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1665 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/28/2025 14:44
Updated: 01/25/2026 13:46
Changes: 07/28/2025 14:44 (57), 08/17/2025 19:38 (7), 08/18/2025 12:05 (1), 08/19/2025 14:42 (2), 08/20/2025 12:17 (1), 08/26/2025 14:45 (1), 09/30/2025 11:43 (1), 10/18/2025 07:35 (1), 11/02/2025 00:36 (1), 11/16/2025 19:16 (1), 11/20/2025 03:31 (11), 01/25/2026 13:46 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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