What is CVE-2025-38656?

CVE-2025-38656 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, classified as a Use After Free flaw (CWE-416), affecting Linux kernel versions from 5.4.297 onward and patched in 5.5, 5.11, 5.16 and others. CVE-2025-38656 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38656?

CVE-2025-38656 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity. 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-2025-38656?

Yes, CVE-2025-38656 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.5, 5.11, 5.16 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.4.297 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2025-38656 actively exploited?

CVE-2025-38656 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA 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. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/416.html

CVE-2025-38656

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: iwlwifi: Fix error code in iwl_op_mode_dvm_start() Preserve the error code if iwl_setup_deferred_work() fails. The current code returns ERR_PTR(0) (which is NULL) on this path. I believe the missing error code potentially leads to a use after free involving debugfs.

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-2025-38656 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 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.5, 5.11, 5.16, 6.2, 6.7, 6.13 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ 5.4.297 ≥ 5.10.241 ≥ 5.15.190 ≥ 6.1.148 ≥ 6.6.102 ≥ 6.12.42

Fixed in

✓ 5.5 5.5.x ✓ 5.11 5.11.x ✓ 5.16 5.16.x ✓ 6.2 6.2.x ✓ 6.7 6.7.x ✓ 6.13 6.13.x

References

3 total

Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d068272c21d886d06526454b68368100ba0a720

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/991e2066f6009d3cb898413058c62dbcc92bd6d2

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf80c02a9fdb6c5bc8508beb6a0f6a1294fc32f6

Patch

Details

CVE ID CVE-2025-38656

Severity High

CVSS score 7.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2025-08-22

Modified 2025-11-26

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38656?

CVE-2025-38656 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 5.4.297 onward and has been patched in 5.5, 5.11, 5.16 and others. CVE-2025-38656 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38656?

CVE-2025-38656 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-2025-38656?

Yes. CVE-2025-38656 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.5, 5.11, 5.16 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.4.297 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2025-38656 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2025-38656 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.