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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38488: smb: client: fix use-after-free in crypt_message when using async crypto

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix use-after-free in crypt_message when using async crypto The CVE-2024-50047 fix removed asynchronous crypto handling from crypt_message(), assuming all crypto operations are synchronous. However, when hardware crypto accelerators are used, this can cause use-after-free crashes: crypt_message() // Allocate the creq buffer containing the req creq = smb2_get_aead_req(..., &req); // Async encryption returns -EINPROGRESS immediately rc = enc ? crypto_aead_encrypt(req) : crypto_aead_decrypt(req); // Free creq while async operation is still in progress kvfree_sensitive(creq, ...); Hardware crypto modules often implement async AEAD operations for performance. When crypto_aead_encrypt/decrypt() returns -EINPROGRESS, the operation completes asynchronously. Without crypto_wait_req(), the function immediately frees the request buffer, leading to crashes when the driver later accesses the freed memory. This results in a use-after-free condition when the hardware crypto driver later accesses the freed request structure, leading to kernel crashes with NULL pointer dereferences. The issue occurs because crypto_alloc_aead() with mask=0 doesn't guarantee synchronous operation. Even without CRYPTO_ALG_ASYNC in the mask, async implementations can be selected. Fix by restoring the async crypto handling: - DECLARE_CRYPTO_WAIT(wait) for completion tracking - aead_request_set_callback() for async completion notification - crypto_wait_req() to wait for operation completion This ensures the request buffer isn't freed until the crypto operation completes, whether synchronous or asynchronous, while preserving the CVE-2024-50047 fix.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux system using the SMB client can free a cryptographic request before hardware-assisted encryption finishes. The hardware driver may later access that freed memory and crash the kernel, disrupting file access and dependent services. The supplied evidence confirms availability risk but does not demonstrate data theft, modification, or code execution.

Executive priority

Treat this as urgent for systems supporting critical SMB-dependent workloads, especially those using hardware crypto acceleration. Inventory exposure and deploy vendor-fixed kernels promptly. The critical score supports rapid handling, but fleet-wide emergency action should be based on confirmed SMB client usage and vendor package applicability.

Technical view

The Linux SMB client’s crypt_message() omitted asynchronous completion handling after the CVE-2024-50047 fix. An AEAD operation returning -EINPROGRESS could leave work active while its request buffer was freed, causing a use-after-free and NULL-pointer kernel crashes. The cited correction restores completion callbacks and waits before freeing the buffer.

Likely exposure

Exposure is highest on affected Linux kernels acting as SMB clients where the selected AEAD implementation completes asynchronously, particularly with hardware crypto accelerators. Systems not using the SMB client or affected crypto path are less likely to trigger it. Distribution backports and the supplied version metadata require vendor-specific verification.

Exploitation context

The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active or public exploitation. It describes a kernel-crash condition involving asynchronous crypto. Although the supplied CVSS is 9.8 with a network vector, the available technical description does not establish attacker-controlled code execution or confidentiality and integrity impact.

Researcher notes

This is a regression associated with the CVE-2024-50047 correction. Selecting AEAD with mask zero did not guarantee synchronous execution, so removing crypto_wait_req() created the lifetime error. The fix restores DECLARE_CRYPTO_WAIT, an asynchronous completion callback, and waiting before request-buffer release. Package-level affectedness remains distribution-specific.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the vendor kernel update containing a cited upstream stable fix for your supported branch.
  • Use distribution advisories to map fixed package versions; upstream kernel numbers may not reflect backports.
  • Prioritize SMB clients using encrypted sessions and hardware crypto acceleration.
  • If immediate updating is impossible, consult vendor guidance for supported temporary risk reduction.

Validation and detection

  • Record running kernel and distribution package versions across Linux systems.
  • Identify systems using Linux SMB clients, encrypted SMB sessions, and hardware crypto acceleration.
  • Confirm installed packages contain the applicable upstream stable correction or vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for SMB crypto crashes, NULL-pointer dereferences, or use-after-free reports.
  • After updating, reboot affected systems and verify the fixed kernel is running.
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

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CVE-2025-38488 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
10Source 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
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-38488Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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. CVE updatedCVE Program

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

ADP provider summaries

CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux8f14a476abba13144df5434871a7225fd29af633, ef51c0d544b1518b35364480317ab6d3468f205d, bce966530fd5542bbb422cb45ecb775f7a1a6bc3, 0809fb86ad13b29e1d6d491364fc7ea4fb545995, b0abcd65ec545701b8793e12bc27dc98042b151a, b0abcd65ec545701b8793e12bc27dc98042b151a, b0abcd65ec545701b8793e12bc27dc98042b151a, 538c26d9bf70c90edc460d18c81008a4e555925a, 5.10.237, 5.15.181, 6.1.128, 6.6.57, 6.11.4unaffected
LinuxLinux6.12, 0, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.147, 6.6.100, 6.12.40, 6.15.8, 6.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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