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CVE-2025-38244: smb: client: fix potential deadlock when reconnecting channels

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix potential deadlock when reconnecting channels Fix cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect() to take the correct lock order and prevent the following deadlock from happening ====================================================== WARNING: possible circular locking dependency detected 6.16.0-rc3-build2+ #1301 Tainted: G S W ------------------------------------------------------ cifsd/6055 is trying to acquire lock: ffff88810ad56038 (&tcp_ses->srv_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect+0x134/0x200 but task is already holding lock: ffff888119c64330 (&ret_buf->chan_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect+0xcf/0x200 which lock already depends on the new lock. the existing dependency chain (in reverse order) is: -> #2 (&ret_buf->chan_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}: validate_chain+0x1cf/0x270 __lock_acquire+0x60e/0x780 lock_acquire.part.0+0xb4/0x1f0 _raw_spin_lock+0x2f/0x40 cifs_setup_session+0x81/0x4b0 cifs_get_smb_ses+0x771/0x900 cifs_mount_get_session+0x7e/0x170 cifs_mount+0x92/0x2d0 cifs_smb3_do_mount+0x161/0x460 smb3_get_tree+0x55/0x90 vfs_get_tree+0x46/0x180 do_new_mount+0x1b0/0x2e0 path_mount+0x6ee/0x740 do_mount+0x98/0xe0 __do_sys_mount+0x148/0x180 do_syscall_64+0xa4/0x260 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x76/0x7e -> #1 (&ret_buf->ses_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}: validate_chain+0x1cf/0x270 __lock_acquire+0x60e/0x780 lock_acquire.part.0+0xb4/0x1f0 _raw_spin_lock+0x2f/0x40 cifs_match_super+0x101/0x320 sget+0xab/0x270 cifs_smb3_do_mount+0x1e0/0x460 smb3_get_tree+0x55/0x90 vfs_get_tree+0x46/0x180 do_new_mount+0x1b0/0x2e0 path_mount+0x6ee/0x740 do_mount+0x98/0xe0 __do_sys_mount+0x148/0x180 do_syscall_64+0xa4/0x260 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x76/0x7e -> #0 (&tcp_ses->srv_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}: check_noncircular+0x95/0xc0 check_prev_add+0x115/0x2f0 validate_chain+0x1cf/0x270 __lock_acquire+0x60e/0x780 lock_acquire.part.0+0xb4/0x1f0 _raw_spin_lock+0x2f/0x40 cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect+0x134/0x200 __cifs_reconnect+0x8f/0x500 cifs_handle_standard+0x112/0x280 cifs_demultiplex_thread+0x64d/0xbc0 kthread+0x2f7/0x310 ret_from_fork+0x2a/0x230 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 other info that might help us debug this: Chain exists of: &tcp_ses->srv_lock --> &ret_buf->ses_lock --> &ret_buf->chan_lock Possible unsafe locking scenario: CPU0 CPU1 ---- ---- lock(&ret_buf->chan_lock); lock(&ret_buf->ses_lock); lock(&ret_buf->chan_lock); lock(&tcp_ses->srv_lock); *** DEADLOCK *** 3 locks held by cifsd/6055: #0: ffffffff857de398 (&cifs_tcp_ses_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect+0x7b/0x200 #1: ffff888119c64060 (&ret_buf->ses_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect+0x9c/0x200 #2: ffff888119c64330 (&ret_buf->chan_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect+0xcf/0x200

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A locking error in the Linux SMB/CIFS client can deadlock during channel reconnection, potentially making affected systems or SMB-dependent services unavailable. The supplied CVSS score is 7.5, reflecting high availability impact without identified confidentiality or integrity impact.

Executive priority

Prioritize affected SMB-dependent servers and business-critical file workflows. Treat remediation as an availability hardening action rather than evidence of compromise. Accelerate patching where an SMB outage would materially disrupt operations.

Technical view

CVE-2025-38244 is a circular lock-order dependency involving srv_lock, ses_lock, and chan_lock in cifs_signal_cifsd_for_reconnect(). Concurrent SMB channel reconnection can deadlock the CIFS kernel thread. Linux stable commits change the lock ordering to prevent this condition.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernels and using the kernel SMB/CIFS client where channel reconnection occurs. Systems not mounting SMB shares are unlikely to encounter this code path. The supplied version data is ambiguous, so distribution-specific package status should be verified.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes network reachability, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. However, the supplied evidence does not establish a reliable remote trigger or malicious exploitation. The record is not marked KEV, and no active exploitation is cited.

Researcher notes

The supplied affected-version list lacks clear introduced-versus-fixed boundaries and includes unusual entries, limiting precise exposure conclusions. The lockdep trace supports the deadlock diagnosis, while four Linux stable commits support remediation. No CWE classification, public exploit evidence, or confirmed attack scenario is supplied.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Linux hosts using kernel SMB/CIFS mounts, especially multichannel configurations.
  • Apply the applicable vendor kernel update containing one of the referenced stable fixes.
  • Consult distribution advisories for backport status because package versions may differ from upstream versions.
  • Where patching is delayed, reduce nonessential SMB client use and monitor reconnect-related availability issues.

Validation and detection

  • Record each exposed host's running kernel and distribution package version.
  • Confirm the installed kernel contains the applicable referenced fix or vendor backport.
  • Inventory active CIFS mounts and determine whether SMB multichannel is enabled.
  • After updating, test normal SMB reconnection in a controlled environment and monitor for hangs.
  • Review kernel logs for CIFS reconnect failures, lock warnings, or stalled cifsd threads.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2025-38244 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-38244Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

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Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxd7d7a66aacd6fd8ca57baf08a7bac5421282f6f8, d7d7a66aacd6fd8ca57baf08a7bac5421282f6f8, d7d7a66aacd6fd8ca57baf08a7bac5421282f6f8, d7d7a66aacd6fd8ca57baf08a7bac5421282f6f8unaffected
LinuxLinux6.0, 0, 6.6.96, 6.12.36, 6.15.5, 6.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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