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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38527: smb: client: fix use-after-free in cifs_oplock_break

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix use-after-free in cifs_oplock_break A race condition can occur in cifs_oplock_break() leading to a use-after-free of the cinode structure when unmounting: cifs_oplock_break() _cifsFileInfo_put(cfile) cifsFileInfo_put_final() cifs_sb_deactive() [last ref, start releasing sb] kill_sb() kill_anon_super() generic_shutdown_super() evict_inodes() dispose_list() evict() destroy_inode() call_rcu(&inode->i_rcu, i_callback) spin_lock(&cinode->open_file_lock) <- OK [later] i_callback() cifs_free_inode() kmem_cache_free(cinode) spin_unlock(&cinode->open_file_lock) <- UAF cifs_done_oplock_break(cinode) <- UAF The issue occurs when umount has already released its reference to the superblock. When _cifsFileInfo_put() calls cifs_sb_deactive(), this releases the last reference, triggering the immediate cleanup of all inodes under RCU. However, cifs_oplock_break() continues to access the cinode after this point, resulting in use-after-free. Fix this by holding an extra reference to the superblock during the entire oplock break operation. This ensures that the superblock and its inodes remain valid until the oplock break completes.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-38527 is a Linux kernel SMB/CIFS client bug. During an unmount race, the kernel can keep using a freed inode structure. That is a memory safety failure in kernel space, but the supplied sources do not state exploitability, impact level, or active abuse.

Executive priority

Track this as a kernel memory-safety issue requiring normal vulnerability management urgency, higher for SMB/CIFS-heavy environments. Do not claim emergency exploitation based on the supplied evidence.

Technical view

The flaw is a use-after-free in cifs_oplock_break(). _cifsFileInfo_put() can release the final superblock reference during unmount, allowing inode cleanup under RCU while cifs_oplock_break() continues using cinode. The kernel fix holds an extra superblock reference for the full oplock-break operation.

Likely exposure

Systems using affected Linux kernels with the SMB/CIFS client code are the relevant exposure. Practical risk depends on kernel version, distribution backports, and whether SMB/CIFS mounts are used. The bundle does not identify specific appliances or cloud images.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not report active exploitation, and KEV is false. It describes a race condition during unmount, not a public exploit path. Treat weaponization and required attacker position as unconfirmed from these sources.

Researcher notes

The key remediation detail is lifetime management: keep the superblock and inodes valid until oplock break completion. The affected-version data in the bundle is sparse and partly commit-based, so distro-specific fixed-version confirmation is necessary.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize hosts using SMB/CIFS mounts or file-sharing integrations.
  • Check distribution advisories, including Debian LTS, for packaged fixed kernels.
  • If patching is delayed, reduce unnecessary SMB/CIFS client use where operationally feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, workstations, containers hosts, and appliances.
  • Identify systems with active or configured CIFS/SMB client mounts.
  • Map installed distro kernels to vendor advisories and backported fixes.
  • Confirm updated kernels are booted, not merely installed.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
8Source links

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
LinuxLinuxb98749cac4a695f084a5ff076f4510b23e353ecd, b98749cac4a695f084a5ff076f4510b23e353ecd, b98749cac4a695f084a5ff076f4510b23e353ecd, b98749cac4a695f084a5ff076f4510b23e353ecd, b98749cac4a695f084a5ff076f4510b23e353ecd, b98749cac4a695f084a5ff076f4510b23e353ecd, 2429fcf06d3cb962693868ab0a927c9038f12a2d, 1ee4f2d7cdcd4508cc3cbe3b2622d7177b89da12, 53fc31a4853e30d6e8f142b824f724da27ff3e40, 8092ecc306d81186a64cda42411121f4d35aaff4, ebac4d0adf68f8962bd82fcf483936edd6ec095b, 3.16.72, 4.9.171, 4.14.114, 4.19.37, 5.0.10unaffected
LinuxLinux5.1, 0, 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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