LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2025-38352: posix-cpu-timers: fix race between handle_posix_cpu_timers() and posix_cpu_timer_del()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: fix race between handle_posix_cpu_timers() and posix_cpu_timer_del() If an exiting non-autoreaping task has already passed exit_notify() and calls handle_posix_cpu_timers() from IRQ, it can be reaped by its parent or debugger right after unlock_task_sighand(). If a concurrent posix_cpu_timer_del() runs at that moment, it won't be able to detect timer->it.cpu.firing != 0: cpu_timer_task_rcu() and/or lock_task_sighand() will fail. Add the tsk->exit_state check into run_posix_cpu_timers() to fix this. This fix is not needed if CONFIG_POSIX_CPU_TIMERS_TASK_WORK=y, because exit_task_work() is called before exit_notify(). But the check still makes sense, task_work_add(&tsk->posix_cputimers_work.work) will fail anyway in this case.

HighCVSS 7.4Known exploitedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-38352 is a Linux kernel race condition in POSIX CPU timer handling. A local process can hit a timing flaw while a task is exiting, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact per CVSS. CISA KEV listing means exploitation has been observed; exact real-world impact details are not provided in the bundle.

Executive priority

Treat as urgent for Linux estates because it is high severity and KEV-listed. Prioritize patching shared infrastructure, developer systems, container hosts, and any environment where attackers may execute local code. Do not wait for public exploit details to become clearer.

Technical view

The flaw is a CWE-367 race between handle_posix_cpu_timers() and posix_cpu_timer_del(). After exit_notify(), a non-autoreaping task can be reaped after unlock_task_sighand(), preventing concurrent timer deletion from detecting a firing timer. Kernel stable fixes add an exit_state check in run_posix_cpu_timers().

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running affected kernel versions or downstream builds without the stable backport. The bundle lists affected Linux kernel ranges including 2.6.36 through fixed stable-line versions. Systems that run untrusted local workloads should be prioritized.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV indicates known exploitation. The bundle also cites a public GitHub repository tagged as exploit. The vulnerability is local, high-complexity, and requires no privileges or user interaction per CVSS; the sources do not provide safe details on exploitation mechanics or observed targets.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a kernel race in exiting task timer handling, fixed across multiple stable commits. CONFIG_POSIX_CPU_TIMERS_TASK_WORK=y reduces need for the fix according to the description, but the upstream check was still added. The bundle does not specify affected distributions beyond listed Debian LTS references.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates containing the POSIX CPU timer race fix.
  • Use distribution advisories, including Debian LTS where applicable, to identify patched packages.
  • Prioritize multi-user systems and hosts running untrusted local code.
  • Reduce exposure to untrusted local execution until patched.
  • Track CISA KEV remediation deadlines if subject to BOD 22-01.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, workstations, and appliances.
  • Confirm each kernel includes the referenced stable POSIX CPU timer fix.
  • Check distro security advisories for CVE-2025-38352 coverage.
  • Review fleet vulnerability scanner results for unresolved Linux kernel findings.
  • Verify reboot completion after kernel package updates.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
11

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-367: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2025-38352 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
Yes
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
4Timeline events
2ADP providers
13Source links

CISA KEV status

Status
Known exploited
Source
CISA-ADP
Date added
KEV reference

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: activeAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

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
7.4CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.45.9CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.4High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-38352Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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. Added to KEVCISA-ADP

    CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities metadata lists this CVE as known exploited.

  4. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvcother:kev
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55, 0bdd2ed4138ec04e09b4f8165981efc99e439f55unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.36, 0, 5.4.295, 5.10.239, 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.12.34, 6.15.3, 6.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-367 · source CWE mapping

Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition

Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.