LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2025-38563: perf/core: Prevent VMA split of buffer mappings

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/core: Prevent VMA split of buffer mappings The perf mmap code is careful about mmap()'ing the user page with the ringbuffer and additionally the auxiliary buffer, when the event supports it. Once the first mapping is established, subsequent mapping have to use the same offset and the same size in both cases. The reference counting for the ringbuffer and the auxiliary buffer depends on this being correct. Though perf does not prevent that a related mapping is split via mmap(2), munmap(2) or mremap(2). A split of a VMA results in perf_mmap_open() calls, which take reference counts, but then the subsequent perf_mmap_close() calls are not longer fulfilling the offset and size checks. This leads to reference count leaks. As perf already has the requirement for subsequent mappings to match the initial mapping, the obvious consequence is that VMA splits, caused by resizing of a mapping or partial unmapping, have to be prevented. Implement the vm_operations_struct::may_split() callback and return unconditionally -EINVAL. That ensures that the mapping offsets and sizes cannot be changed after the fact. Remapping to a different fixed address with the same size is still possible as it takes the references for the new mapping and drops those of the old mapping.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-38563 is a Linux kernel perf subsystem flaw involving memory mappings used for performance monitoring buffers. Certain mapping changes could leak internal reference counts. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, impact class, or confirmed attacker outcome, so urgency should be driven by kernel exposure and vendor guidance.

Executive priority

Treat this as a kernel maintenance priority, not a confirmed emergency from the provided evidence. Patch during the next accelerated Linux update cycle, with higher priority for multi-user systems, shared compute, containers with weak isolation, and environments allowing local code execution.

Technical view

perf mmap buffer mappings require later mappings to preserve original offset and size. The issue allowed VMA splits through mmap, munmap, or mremap, causing perf_mmap_open reference increments that perf_mmap_close checks no longer matched. The kernel fix adds may_split and rejects splitting with EINVAL.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel lines listed in the CVE data, including several 5.x and 6.x stable lines. Exact exposure depends on distribution backports and kernel package versions, so inventory should compare installed kernels with vendor advisories and stable commits.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show KEV listing or active exploitation. It describes a local kernel behavior reachable through perf mmap mapping changes, but does not establish a reliable exploit path, privilege impact, or weaponized public exploit.

Researcher notes

The key behavior is reference-count leakage after splitting perf buffer VMAs. The published fix prevents VMA splitting for these mappings while preserving remapping to another fixed address with the same size. Impact details remain incomplete in the supplied sources.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux distribution advisories for fixed kernel packages.
  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable commits.
  • Prioritize hosts where untrusted local users can access perf features.
  • Review perf_event access controls as a temporary risk-reduction measure.
  • Track Debian LTS notices if using Debian-based systems.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions across Linux hosts.
  • Map installed kernels to vendor advisories or stable commit backports.
  • Confirm CVE-2025-38563 is marked fixed by the distribution package metadata.
  • Review whether local users can access perf_event functionality.
  • Reboot systems after kernel updates and verify the active kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2025-38563 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
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
13Source 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
LinuxLinux45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ff, 45bfb2e50471abbbfd83d40d28c986078b0d24ffunaffected
LinuxLinux4.1, 0, 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 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.