CVE-2025-38554: mm: fix a UAF when vma->mm is freed after vma->vm_refcnt got dropped
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mm: fix a UAF when vma->mm is freed after vma->vm_refcnt got dropped
By inducing delays in the right places, Jann Horn created a reproducer for
a hard to hit UAF issue that became possible after VMAs were allowed to be
recycled by adding SLAB_TYPESAFE_BY_RCU to their cache.
Race description is borrowed from Jann's discovery report:
lock_vma_under_rcu() looks up a VMA locklessly with mas_walk() under
rcu_read_lock(). At that point, the VMA may be concurrently freed, and it
can be recycled by another process. vma_start_read() then increments the
vma->vm_refcnt (if it is in an acceptable range), and if this succeeds,
vma_start_read() can return a recycled VMA.
In this scenario where the VMA has been recycled, lock_vma_under_rcu()
will then detect the mismatching ->vm_mm pointer and drop the VMA through
vma_end_read(), which calls vma_refcount_put(). vma_refcount_put() drops
the refcount and then calls rcuwait_wake_up() using a copy of vma->vm_mm.
This is wrong: It implicitly assumes that the caller is keeping the VMA's
mm alive, but in this scenario the caller has no relation to the VMA's mm,
so the rcuwait_wake_up() can cause UAF.
The diagram depicting the race:
T1 T2 T3
== == ==
lock_vma_under_rcu
mas_walk
<VMA gets removed from mm>
mmap
<the same VMA is reallocated>
vma_start_read
__refcount_inc_not_zero_limited_acquire
munmap
__vma_enter_locked
refcount_add_not_zero
vma_end_read
vma_refcount_put
__refcount_dec_and_test
rcuwait_wait_event
<finish operation>
rcuwait_wake_up [UAF]
Note that rcuwait_wait_event() in T3 does not block because refcount was
already dropped by T1. At this point T3 can exit and free the mm causing
UAF in T1.
To avoid this we move vma->vm_mm verification into vma_start_read() and
grab vma->vm_mm to stabilize it before vma_refcount_put() operation.
[surenb@google.com: v3]
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A race in Linux memory management can access already-freed data. A local, low-privileged user may be able to crash the system or potentially affect confidentiality and integrity. Exploitation requires local code execution; the supplied evidence does not establish remote or active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue, especially on shared or multi-user Linux systems. It is not evidenced as remotely exploitable or actively exploited, so prioritize based on local-user exposure and patch availability rather than emergency internet-edge response.
Technical view
A recycled virtual memory area can pass refcount acquisition before its vm_mm mismatch is detected. Releasing that reference may call rcuwait_wake_up after the associated memory-management structure has been freed, causing a use-after-free. The fix validates and stabilizes vm_mm inside vma_start_read before the reference is released.
Likely exposure
Systems running affected Linux kernel branches are potentially exposed when untrusted or compromised local users can execute code. The supplied version data identifies 6.15, 6.15.10, 6.16.1, and 6.17, but its range semantics are unclear; verify distribution backports and running-kernel status.
Exploitation context
A researcher produced the race by deliberately inducing timing delays, confirming reachability. CVSS 7.8 describes local access, low privileges, low complexity, no user interaction, and potentially high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The bundle reports no CISA KEV listing and provides no evidence of active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The vulnerable path spans lock_vma_under_rcu, vma_start_read, vma_end_read, vma_refcount_put, and rcuwait_wake_up. SLAB_TYPESAFE_BY_RCU recycling enables a VMA from another process to be observed. The supplied record names three stable commits; affected-version boundaries remain insufficiently clear for version-only detection.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix.
Check distribution security guidance because vendors may backport fixes without changing expected upstream version numbers.
Restrict local code execution by untrusted users until affected systems are patched.
Prioritize shared or multi-user systems where low-privileged users can execute native workloads.
Validation and detection
Record the running kernel version on every Linux host, not merely the installed package version.
Confirm through vendor metadata that the running kernel includes the relevant upstream fix or backport.
Reboot after updating when required, then verify the corrected kernel is active.
Review fleet inventory for shared systems permitting low-privileged local code execution.
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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