CVE-2025-38492
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfs: Fix race between cache write completion and ALL_QUEUED being set When netfslib is issuing subrequests, the subrequests start processing immediately and may complete before we reach the end of the issuing function. At the end of the issuing function we set NETFS_RREQ_ALL_QUEUED to indicate to the collector that we aren't going to issue any more subreqs and that it can do the final notifications and cleanup. Now, this isn't a problem if the request is synchronous (NETFS_RREQ_OFFLOAD_COLLECTION is unset) as the result collection will be done in-thread and we're guaranteed an opportunity to run the collector. However, if the request is asynchronous, collection is primarily triggered by the termination of subrequests queuing it on a workqueue. Now, a race can occur here if the app thread sets ALL_QUEUED after the last subrequest terminates. This can happen most easily with the copy2cache code (as used by Ceph) where, in the collection routine of a read request, an asynchronous write request is spawned to copy data to the cache. Folios are added to the write request as they're unlocked, but there may be a delay before ALL_QUEUED is set as the write subrequests may complete before we get there. If all the write subreqs have finished by the ALL_QUEUED point, no further events happen and the collection never happens, leaving the request hanging. Fix this by queuing the collector after setting ALL_QUEUED. This is a bit heavy-handed and it may be sufficient to do it only if there are no extant subreqs. Also add a tracepoint to cross-reference both requests in a copy-to-request operation and add a trace to the netfs_rreq tracepoint to indicate the setting of ALL_QUEUED.
CVSS 3.1 score
4.7
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-362CVE-2025-38492 is a Race Condition vulnerability
What is Race Condition?
The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.14
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.15.8,
6.16
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38492 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/110188a13c4853bd4c342e600ced4dfd26c3feb5
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89635eae076cd8eaa5cb752f66538c9dc6c9fdc3
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2025-38492?
CVE-2025-38492 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10 , classified as a Race Condition flaw (CWE-362) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.14 onward and has been patched in 6.15.8 and 6.16. CVE-2025-38492 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38492?
CVE-2025-38492 has a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-38492?
Yes — CVE-2025-38492 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.15.8 and 6.16. If you are running Linux kernel 6.14 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2025-38492 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-38492 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is Race Condition (CWE-362)?
The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. View CWE-362 on MITRE CWE →