Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 jfs i_size 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 was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. It has been declared as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the component jfs. Executing a manipulation of the argument i_size can lead to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-38698. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the component jfs. The manipulation of the argument i_size with an unknown input leads to a unknown weakness. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: jfs: Regular file corruption check The reproducer builds a corrupted file on disk with a negative i_size value. Add a check when opening this file to avoid subsequent operation failures.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38698 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261569 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38698), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 9f896c3d0192241d6438be6963682ace8203f502/6bc86f1d7d5419d5b19483ba203ca0b760c41c51/9ad054cd2c4ca8c371e555748832aa217c41fc65/9605cb2ea38ba014d0e704cba0dbbb00593fa9fd/78989af5bbf55a0cf1165b0fa73921bc02f1543b/00462be586b33076f8b8023e7ba697deedc131db/fd9454b7710b28060faa49b041f8283c435721a3/2d04df8116426b6c7b9f8b9b371250f666a2a2fb 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 (261569) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1976). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • IBM Security Verify Access
  • Dell NetWorker

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: 261569
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38698

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.297/5.10.241/5.15.190/6.1.149/6.6.103/6.12.43/6.15.11/6.16.2/6.17-rc1
Patch: 9f896c3d0192241d6438be6963682ace8203f502/6bc86f1d7d5419d5b19483ba203ca0b760c41c51/9ad054cd2c4ca8c371e555748832aa217c41fc65/9605cb2ea38ba014d0e704cba0dbbb00593fa9fd/78989af5bbf55a0cf1165b0fa73921bc02f1543b/00462be586b33076f8b8023e7ba697deedc131db/fd9454b7710b28060faa49b041f8283c435721a3/2d04df8116426b6c7b9f8b9b371250f666a2a2fb

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
09/04/2025 +141 days Advisory disclosed
09/04/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/10/2026 +159 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38698 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38698
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322552
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/04/2025 18:28
Updated: 02/10/2026 06:39
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:28 (58), 09/05/2025 13:19 (7), 09/07/2025 21:37 (2), 10/08/2025 15:56 (1), 12/09/2025 16:10 (1), 01/14/2026 23:32 (1), 01/27/2026 02:46 (10), 02/10/2026 06:39 (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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