CVE-2025-38542
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: appletalk: Fix device refcount leak in atrtr_create() When updating an existing route entry in atrtr_create(), the old device reference was not being released before assigning the new device, leading to a device refcount leak. Fix this by calling dev_put() to release the old device reference before holding the new one.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Linux Kernel < 5.4.296
- Linux Kernel < 5.10.240
- Linux Kernel < 5.15.189
- Linux Kernel < 6.1.146
- Linux Kernel < 6.6.99
- Linux Kernel < 6.12.39
- Linux Kernel < 6.15.7
- Linux Kernel 2.6.12
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2025-38542.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-38542. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/473f3eadfc73b0fb6d8dee5829d19a5772e387f7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4a17370da6e476d3d275534e9e9cd2d02c57ca46
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64124cf0aab0dd1e18c0fb5ae66e45741e727f8b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/711c80f7d8b163d3ecd463cd96f07230f488e750
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a7852b01793669248dce0348d14df89e77a32afd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b2f5dfa87367fdce9f8b995bc6c38f64f9ea2c90
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b92bedf71f25303e203a4e657489d76691a58119
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2e9f50f0bdad73b64a871f25186b899624518c4
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/473f3eadfc73b0fb6d8dee5829d19a5772e387f7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4a17370da6e476d3d275534e9e9cd2d02c57ca46
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64124cf0aab0dd1e18c0fb5ae66e45741e727f8b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/711c80f7d8b163d3ecd463cd96f07230f488e750
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a7852b01793669248dce0348d14df89e77a32afd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b2f5dfa87367fdce9f8b995bc6c38f64f9ea2c90
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b92bedf71f25303e203a4e657489d76691a58119
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2e9f50f0bdad73b64a871f25186b899624518c4
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html