Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux kernel flaw can corrupt memory when binderfs devices are deleted concurrently during filesystem cleanup. A local user with limited privileges may be able to trigger a crash or potentially compromise confidentiality and system integrity. The supplied evidence demonstrates the defect under stress testing, but not successful malicious exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize timely patching on multi-user systems where binderfs is available to untrusted local users. This is not presented as a remote compromise or known active attack, but kernel memory corruption with high potential impact warrants expedited validation and remediation.
Technical view
CVE-2025-38176 is a use-after-free in binderfs_evict_inode(). Concurrent deletion from binder_devices can leave synchronization insufficient, causing a freed object to be written during inode eviction and unmount cleanup. KASAN reproduced the issue, and Linux stable commits provide fixes.
Likely exposure
The bundle identifies Linux kernel versions including 6.14, 6.14.11, 6.15.2, and 6.16 as affected. Exposure is most relevant where binderfs is available and local low-privileged users can reach the vulnerable behavior. Exact distribution package and backport boundaries are not supplied.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector describes local, low-complexity exploitation requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active or weaponized exploitation. The demonstrated result is KASAN-detected memory corruption during stress testing.
Researcher notes
The report observed an eight-byte write after free during inode eviction. Allocation occurred in binderfs_binder_device_create, while deletion and eviction freed the object. Concurrent binder_devices deletions are identified as the synchronization failure. The supplied material does not establish a reliable privilege-escalation technique or precise affected package ranges.
Mitigation direction
- Update affected systems to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable listed stable fix.
- Confirm the kernel package incorporates commit 80ed8ab8, aea61a1a, or 8c0a5598, as appropriate.
- Consult the Linux distribution or appliance vendor for exact fixed package versions and backport status.
Validation and detection
- Inventory deployed kernel versions and compare them with the affected versions in the CVE record.
- Determine whether binderfs is present or used on systems allowing untrusted local access.
- Verify deployed kernel packages contain the applicable stable fix or documented vendor backport.
- Review kernel and KASAN logs for use-after-free reports involving binderfs_evict_inode.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2025-38176 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9LinuxVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/80ed8ab8efa0d18c03968a2321154f10e2d1a2e3CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/aea61a1a77613d4184d7ebe7c1d7cb606458b43bCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c0a559825281764061a127632e5ad273f0466adCVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.