CVE-2025-38539
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-08-16

Last updated on: 2025-11-03

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Add down_write(trace_event_sem) when adding trace event When a module is loaded, it adds trace events defined by the module. It may also need to modify the modules trace printk formats to replace enum names with their values. If two modules are loaded at the same time, the adding of the event to the ftrace_events list can corrupt the walking of the list in the code that is modifying the printk format strings and crash the kernel. The addition of the event should take the trace_event_sem for write while it adds the new event. Also add a lockdep_assert_held() on that semaphore in __trace_add_event_dirs() as it iterates the list.
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Meta Information
Published
2025-08-16
Last Modified
2025-11-03
Generated
2026-05-07
AI Q&A
2025-08-16
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-05
NVD
CVE-2025-38539
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 2 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 6.1.153-1
linux linux_kernel 5.10.244-1
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
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AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability occurs in the Linux kernel's tracing subsystem when two modules are loaded simultaneously. Both modules add trace events to a shared list without proper synchronization, which can corrupt the list and cause the kernel to crash. The issue arises because the code modifying the trace printk format strings does not hold the necessary write lock (trace_event_sem) while adding new events, leading to unsafe concurrent modifications.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

This vulnerability can cause the Linux kernel to crash if two modules are loaded at the same time, leading to system instability or downtime. Such crashes can disrupt services, cause data loss, or require system reboots, impacting system reliability and availability.


What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?

To mitigate this vulnerability, update the Linux kernel to a version that includes the fix which adds down_write(trace_event_sem) when adding trace events. This ensures proper locking and prevents kernel crashes caused by concurrent module loading and trace event additions.


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