Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 ext4_update_inline_data assertion

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 rated as critical. This vulnerability affects the function ext4_update_inline_data. This manipulation causes an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-38701. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. It has been declared as critical. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-617. The product contains an assert() or similar statement that can be triggered by an attacker, which leads to an application exit or other behavior that is more severe than necessary. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: do not BUG when INLINE_DATA_FL lacks system.data xattr A syzbot fuzzed image triggered a BUG_ON in ext4_update_inline_data() when an inode had the INLINE_DATA_FL flag set but was missing the system.data extended attribute. Since this can happen due to a maiciouly fuzzed file system, we shouldn't BUG, but rather, report it as a corrupted file system. Add similar replacements of BUG_ON with EXT4_ERROR_INODE() ii ext4_create_inline_data() and ext4_inline_data_truncate().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-38701 since 04/16/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261549 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38701), 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 8085a7324d8ec448c4a764af7853e19bbd64e17a/1199a6399895f4767f0b9a68a6ff47c3f799b7c7/7f322c12df7aeed1755acd3c6fab48c7807795fb/2817ac83cb4732597bf36853fe13ca616f4ee4e2/d960f4b793912f35e9d72bd9d1e90553063fcbf1/81e7e2e7ba07e7c8cdce43ccad2f91adbc5a919c/279c87ef7b9da34f65c2e4db586e730b667a6fb9/8a6f89d42e61788605722dd9faf98797c958a7e5/099b847ccc6c1ad2f805d13cfbcc83f5b6d4bc42 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 (261549) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1976). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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: Assertion
CWE: CWE-617
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: 261549
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38701

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: 8085a7324d8ec448c4a764af7853e19bbd64e17a/1199a6399895f4767f0b9a68a6ff47c3f799b7c7/7f322c12df7aeed1755acd3c6fab48c7807795fb/2817ac83cb4732597bf36853fe13ca616f4ee4e2/d960f4b793912f35e9d72bd9d1e90553063fcbf1/81e7e2e7ba07e7c8cdce43ccad2f91adbc5a919c/279c87ef7b9da34f65c2e4db586e730b667a6fb9/8a6f89d42e61788605722dd9faf98797c958a7e5/099b847ccc6c1ad2f805d13cfbcc83f5b6d4bc42

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-2025-38701 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38701
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322567
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/04/2025 18:31
Updated: 02/10/2026 06:48
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:31 (57), 09/05/2025 18:23 (7), 09/07/2025 23:45 (2), 10/08/2025 15:56 (1), 12/09/2025 17:52 (1), 01/09/2026 19:47 (11), 01/14/2026 23:32 (1), 02/10/2026 06:48 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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