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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38502: bpf: Fix oob access in cgroup local storage

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix oob access in cgroup local storage Lonial reported that an out-of-bounds access in cgroup local storage can be crafted via tail calls. Given two programs each utilizing a cgroup local storage with a different value size, and one program doing a tail call into the other. The verifier will validate each of the indivial programs just fine. However, in the runtime context the bpf_cg_run_ctx holds an bpf_prog_array_item which contains the BPF program as well as any cgroup local storage flavor the program uses. Helpers such as bpf_get_local_storage() pick this up from the runtime context: ctx = container_of(current->bpf_ctx, struct bpf_cg_run_ctx, run_ctx); storage = ctx->prog_item->cgroup_storage[stype]; if (stype == BPF_CGROUP_STORAGE_SHARED) ptr = &READ_ONCE(storage->buf)->data[0]; else ptr = this_cpu_ptr(storage->percpu_buf); For the second program which was called from the originally attached one, this means bpf_get_local_storage() will pick up the former program's map, not its own. With mismatching sizes, this can result in an unintended out-of-bounds access. To fix this issue, we need to extend bpf_map_owner with an array of storage_cookie[] to match on i) the exact maps from the original program if the second program was using bpf_get_local_storage(), or ii) allow the tail call combination if the second program was not using any of the cgroup local storage maps.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel BPF flaw can make one program use another program’s differently sized cgroup storage after a tail call. The mismatch can access memory outside intended bounds. A local, low-privileged attacker reaching this BPF path could compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability. The supplied CVSS score is 7.8.

Executive priority

Schedule expedited remediation where relevant BPF capability is reachable by local users. This is not remotely exploitable according to the supplied CVSS vector, but potential confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact is high. Use normal emergency-testing controls because kernel updates and reboots can affect service availability.

Technical view

During a BPF tail call, bpf_get_local_storage() can resolve storage from the original program instead of the callee’s map. Differing value sizes can cause out-of-bounds runtime access even though the verifier accepts both programs separately. Linux’s fix adds storage cookies to enforce compatible maps or permit callees using no cgroup local storage.

Likely exposure

The record identifies Linux 5.9, 5.15.192, 6.1.151, 6.6.105, 6.12.46, 6.16.1, and 6.17 as affected. Practical exposure requires local access to the relevant BPF and cgroup functionality. Distribution backports may change package-level status, so kernel version strings alone are insufficient.

Exploitation context

The supplied CVSS vector describes local access, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation. It establishes a craftable condition but does not document public weaponization or attacks.

Researcher notes

The sources establish the root cause and upstream fixes but provide no observed-attack evidence or uniform package-level fixed versions. Distribution backports can make version-only checks unreliable. The anomalous “0” affected-version entry should not be interpreted without consulting the complete vendor record or applicable distribution advisory.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to a vendor kernel release incorporating the applicable Linux stable fix, then reboot into that kernel.
  • Consult distribution or appliance vendor guidance to confirm fixed packages and backports for every deployed kernel branch.
  • Prioritize systems where local low-privileged users can access the relevant BPF and cgroup functionality.
  • If patching is delayed, restrict local and BPF access according to vendor-supported guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed and running kernel versions across Linux systems.
  • Compare package versions with vendor advisories, accounting for distribution-maintained backports.
  • Confirm the running kernel contains the applicable upstream stable fix or documented vendor equivalent.
  • After rebooting, verify every remediated system is running the intended fixed kernel.
  • Review which local principals can access relevant BPF and cgroup functionality.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
8

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-2025-38502 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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
2ADP providers
9Source 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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-38502Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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
siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux7d9c3427894fe70d1347b4820476bf37736d2ff0, 7d9c3427894fe70d1347b4820476bf37736d2ff0, 7d9c3427894fe70d1347b4820476bf37736d2ff0, 7d9c3427894fe70d1347b4820476bf37736d2ff0, 7d9c3427894fe70d1347b4820476bf37736d2ff0, 7d9c3427894fe70d1347b4820476bf37736d2ff0unaffected
LinuxLinux5.9, 0, 5.15.192, 6.1.151, 6.6.105, 6.12.46, 6.16.1, 6.17affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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