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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38536: net: airoha: fix potential use-after-free in airoha_npu_get()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: airoha: fix potential use-after-free in airoha_npu_get() np->name was being used after calling of_node_put(np), which releases the node and can lead to a use-after-free bug. Previously, of_node_put(np) was called unconditionally after of_find_device_by_node(np), which could result in a use-after-free if pdev is NULL. This patch moves of_node_put(np) after the error check to ensure the node is only released after both the error and success cases are handled appropriately, preventing potential resource issues.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel networking driver can access a device-tree object after releasing it. On affected systems using the Airoha NPU path, this memory-safety error could cause a crash or potentially allow a local, low-privileged attacker to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The supplied evidence does not establish active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue for appliances or hosts using Airoha NPU functionality, especially those permitting local untrusted access. Scope exposure promptly, then apply supported kernel updates. Broader emergency action is not supported because active exploitation is not evidenced.

Technical view

In airoha_npu_get(), of_node_put(np) could release the node before an error path referenced np->name when of_find_device_by_node(np) returned NULL. The fix delays releasing the node until error and success handling no longer require it, preventing the potential use-after-free.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely concentrated in systems running an affected Linux kernel with the Airoha NPU driver present and the vulnerable path reachable. The bundle names 6.15, 6.15.8, and 6.16, but does not clearly express exact range boundaries. Distribution backports may alter exposure.

Exploitation context

The CVSS 3.1 vector scores this 7.8: local access, low privileges, low complexity, and no user interaction, with potentially high impact. CVE is not listed as KEV in the supplied bundle, and no supplied source reports exploitation in the wild or provides proof of practical exploitation.

Researcher notes

The vulnerable condition depends on device lookup returning NULL after the node reference was released. The sources establish a potential use-after-free and its lifetime-management fix, but do not demonstrate controllable memory reuse, a working exploit, affected hardware breadth, or exact downstream package versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify kernels containing the Airoha NPU driver and compare versions against vendor advisories.
  • Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing one of the referenced upstream fixes.
  • Prioritize systems where untrusted or low-privileged users can execute locally.
  • If updates are delayed, consult the distribution vendor for supported mitigations.

Validation and detection

  • Record the running kernel version and distribution package revision on potentially affected systems.
  • Check distribution changelogs for backports of the referenced Linux stable commits.
  • Confirm whether the Airoha NPU driver is built, loaded, or used.
  • After updating, verify the installed kernel includes the fix and rebooted systems run it.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

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

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.

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CVE-2025-38536 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
0ADP providers
3Source 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-2025-38536Attack 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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux23290c7bc190def4e1ca61610992d9b7c32e33f3, 23290c7bc190def4e1ca61610992d9b7c32e33f3unaffected
LinuxLinux6.15, 0, 6.15.8, 6.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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