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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38685: fbdev: Fix vmalloc out-of-bounds write in fast_imageblit

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: Fix vmalloc out-of-bounds write in fast_imageblit This issue triggers when a userspace program does an ioctl FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP by passing console number and frame buffer number. Ideally this maps console to frame buffer and updates the screen if console is visible. As part of mapping it has to do resize of console according to frame buffer info. if this resize fails and returns from vc_do_resize() and continues further. At this point console and new frame buffer are mapped and sets display vars. Despite failure still it continue to proceed updating the screen at later stages where vc_data is related to previous frame buffer and frame buffer info and display vars are mapped to new frame buffer and eventully leading to out-of-bounds write in fast_imageblit(). This bheviour is excepted only when fg_console is equal to requested console which is a visible console and updates screen with invalid struct references in fbcon_putcs().

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A low-privileged local user could cause the Linux kernel to write outside an allocated memory area during a framebuffer-console remap. Successful exploitation could crash or potentially compromise the host. This is not described as a remote vulnerability.

Executive priority

Prioritize affected multi-user, workstation, appliance, and console-enabled systems where untrusted users can obtain local access. Patch through supported vendor channels during the next urgent maintenance window. Internet exposure alone does not establish reachability, but local footholds could turn this kernel memory-corruption flaw into a high-impact escalation opportunity.

Technical view

FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP can continue after vc_do_resize() fails, leaving console data associated with the previous framebuffer while display variables reference the new framebuffer. Updating the visible console through fbcon_putcs() can consequently cause a vmalloc out-of-bounds write in fast_imageblit().

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on affected Linux builds using fbdev or framebuffer-console functionality and permitting low-privileged local users to reach the relevant interface. The supplied version list does not provide reliable branch boundaries, so package status must be confirmed through kernel, distribution, or device-vendor guidance.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes a local, low-complexity attack requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The requested console must be visible, and console resizing must fail. The source bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV, and no supplied source reports active exploitation or a public exploit.

Researcher notes

The important state transition is continued processing after vc_do_resize() fails. Exploitability depends on the visible-console condition and mismatched old console data versus new framebuffer state. Treat the cited commit identifiers as branch-specific fixes, not universal version thresholds. The supplied evidence does not establish practical code execution or observed exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix for CVE-2025-38685.
  • Use distribution or device-vendor advisories to identify the fixed release for each deployed kernel line.
  • Until patched, restrict untrusted local access and framebuffer device access where operationally safe.
  • Consult vendor guidance before disabling fbdev or fbcon because doing so may disrupt local console operations.

Validation and detection

  • Record active kernel and package versions, then compare them with vendor advisories for CVE-2025-38685.
  • Verify the installed kernel includes the applicable stable-branch fix referenced by the kernel sources.
  • Identify systems exposing fbdev or framebuffer-console functionality to low-privileged local users.
  • Reboot after upgrading and confirm the intended fixed kernel is active.
  • Review kernel logs for framebuffer faults or memory-corruption crashes; their absence does not prove safety.
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

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-2025-38685 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
11Source 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-2025-38685Attack 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
LinuxLinux1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.12, 0, 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2, 6.17affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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