Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 nfsd get_client_locked return value

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 critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. Affected by this vulnerability is the function get_client_locked of the component nfsd. Performing a manipulation results in return value. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-38724. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function get_client_locked of the component nfsd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a return value vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-252. The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: handle get_client_locked() failure in nfsd4_setclientid_confirm() Lei Lu recently reported that nfsd4_setclientid_confirm() did not check the return value from get_client_locked(). a SETCLIENTID_CONFIRM could race with a confirmed client expiring and fail to get a reference. That could later lead to a UAF. Fix this by getting a reference early in the case where there is an extant confirmed client. If that fails then treat it as if there were no confirmed client found at all. In the case where the unconfirmed client is expiring, just fail and return the result from get_client_locked().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-38724 since 04/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be difficult. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/10/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261566 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38724), 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 3f252a73e81aa01660cb426735eab932e6182e8d/d35ac850410966010e92f401f4e21868a9ea4d8b/f3aac6cf390d8b80e1d82975faf4ac61175519c0/22f45cedf281e6171817c8a3432c44d788c550e1/d71abd1ae4e0413707cd42b10c24a11d1aa71772/74ad36ed60df561a303a19ecef400c7096b20306/36e83eda90e0e4ac52f259f775b40b2841f8a0a3/571a5e46c71490285d2d8c06f6b5a7cbf6c7edd1/908e4ead7f757504d8b345452730636e298cbf68 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 (261566) 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: 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: Return value
CWE: CWE-252 / CWE-253
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: 261566
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38724

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: 3f252a73e81aa01660cb426735eab932e6182e8d/d35ac850410966010e92f401f4e21868a9ea4d8b/f3aac6cf390d8b80e1d82975faf4ac61175519c0/22f45cedf281e6171817c8a3432c44d788c550e1/d71abd1ae4e0413707cd42b10c24a11d1aa71772/74ad36ed60df561a303a19ecef400c7096b20306/36e83eda90e0e4ac52f259f775b40b2841f8a0a3/571a5e46c71490285d2d8c06f6b5a7cbf6c7edd1/908e4ead7f757504d8b345452730636e298cbf68

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-2025-38724 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38724
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322575
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/04/2025 18:33
Updated: 02/10/2026 08:49
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:33 (59), 09/05/2025 20:45 (7), 09/07/2025 22:35 (2), 10/08/2025 20:23 (1), 12/10/2025 01:38 (1), 01/09/2026 06:57 (11), 01/15/2026 03:13 (1), 02/10/2026 08:49 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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