CVE-2025-38620

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: zloop: fix KASAN use-after-free of tag set When a zoned loop device, or zloop device, is removed, KASAN enabled kernel reports "BUG KASAN use-after-free" in blk_mq_free_tag_set(). The BUG happens because zloop_ctl_remove() calls put_disk(), which invokes zloop_free_disk(). The zloop_free_disk() frees the memory allocated for the zlo pointer. However, after the memory is freed, zloop_ctl_remove() calls blk_mq_free_tag_set(&zlo->tag_set), which accesses the freed zlo. Hence the KASAN use-after-free. zloop_ctl_remove() put_disk(zlo->disk) put_device() kobject_put() ... zloop_free_disk() kvfree(zlo) blk_mq_free_tag_set(&zlo->tag_set) To avoid the BUG, move the call to blk_mq_free_tag_set(&zlo->tag_set) from zloop_ctl_remove() into zloop_free_disk(). This ensures that the tag_set is freed before the call to kvfree(zlo).

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-08-22
Last modified 2025-11-26
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2025-38620 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.16 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.16.1, 6.17 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.16
Fixed in
✓ 6.16.1 6.16.x ✓ 6.17

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38620 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-38620?

    CVE-2025-38620 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.16 onward and has been patched in 6.16.1 and 6.17. CVE-2025-38620 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38620?

    CVE-2025-38620 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-38620?

    Yes — CVE-2025-38620 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.16.1 and 6.17. If you are running Linux kernel 6.16 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-38620 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-38620 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

    The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →

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