#VU111461 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2025-38076

Vulnerability identifier: #VU111461

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-38076

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the codetag_module_init() and codetag_unload_module() functions in lib/codetag.c, within the needs_section_mem(), clean_unused_module_areas_locked(), release_module_tags(), mas_unlock() and alloc_tag_init() functions in lib/alloc_tag.c. A local user can escalate privileges on the system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's repository.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/12ca42c237756182aad8ab04654c952765cb9061
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cc733e6d96c938d2b82be96858a0ab900eb6fdc

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?