CVE-2025-38067: rseq: Fix segfault on registration when rseq_cs is non-zero
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
rseq: Fix segfault on registration when rseq_cs is non-zero
The rseq_cs field is documented as being set to 0 by user-space prior to
registration, however this is not currently enforced by the kernel. This
can result in a segfault on return to user-space if the value stored in
the rseq_cs field doesn't point to a valid struct rseq_cs.
The correct solution to this would be to fail the rseq registration when
the rseq_cs field is non-zero. However, some older versions of glibc
will reuse the rseq area of previous threads without clearing the
rseq_cs field and will also terminate the process if the rseq
registration fails in a secondary thread. This wasn't caught in testing
because in this case the leftover rseq_cs does point to a valid struct
rseq_cs.
What we can do is clear the rseq_cs field on registration when it's
non-zero which will prevent segfaults on registration and won't break
the glibc versions that reuse rseq areas on thread creation.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2025-38067 is a Linux kernel rseq handling flaw that can crash a process during thread registration when stale user-space state is present. The public record describes a reliability and availability issue, not privilege escalation or remote compromise.
Executive priority
Treat this as a normal kernel patching priority unless local crash risk affects critical workloads. There is no cited active exploitation, but Linux kernel exposure is broad and vendor updates should be tracked through routine vulnerability management.
Technical view
The kernel did not enforce that user-space cleared rseq_cs before rseq registration. A non-zero rseq_cs that does not reference a valid struct rseq_cs can cause a segfault when returning to user space. Stable kernel commits clear rseq_cs during registration to avoid breaking older glibc behavior.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely on systems running affected Linux kernel lines listed in the CVE record, including 4.18, 5.10.240, 5.15.189, 6.1.146, 6.6.99, 6.12.39, 6.14.9, and 6.15. Distribution impact depends on backports and vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation, public exploit code, or remote attack evidence. The described impact is a process segfault triggered by rseq registration state, with incomplete evidence for attacker-controlled impact beyond crash behavior.
Researcher notes
The vulnerability sits in rseq registration compatibility behavior with older glibc reuse of rseq areas. The selected fix clears non-zero rseq_cs instead of failing registration, reducing crash risk while preserving compatibility. Public evidence does not establish privilege escalation.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable rseq fix commits.
Check Debian LTS and device vendor advisories for packaged kernel updates.
Prioritize internet-facing and multi-user Linux systems after confirming affected kernels.
If no vendor fix is available, monitor vendor guidance for supported mitigations.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, containers hosts, appliances, and embedded devices.
Compare running kernels against vendor advisories and backported stable fixes.
Confirm whether Debian LTS or Siemens advisories apply to managed assets.
Review crash telemetry for unexplained segfaults around rseq registration or thread creation.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE-2025-38067 mapping review
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These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
11Source links
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Jun 18, 2025, 09:33 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.