CVE-2025-38704
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-09-04

Last updated on: 2026-03-25

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rcu/nocb: Fix possible invalid rdp's->nocb_cb_kthread pointer access In the preparation stage of CPU online, if the corresponding the rdp's->nocb_cb_kthread does not exist, will be created, there is a situation where the rdp's rcuop kthreads creation fails, and then de-offload this CPU's rdp, does not assign this CPU's rdp->nocb_cb_kthread pointer, but this rdp's->nocb_gp_rdp and rdp's->rdp_gp->nocb_gp_kthread is still valid. This will cause the subsequent re-offload operation of this offline CPU, which will pass the conditional check and the kthread_unpark() will access invalid rdp's->nocb_cb_kthread pointer. This commit therefore use rdp's->nocb_gp_kthread instead of rdp_gp's->nocb_gp_kthread for safety check.
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Meta Information
Published
2025-09-04
Last Modified
2026-03-25
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2025-09-04
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2025-38704
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 3 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 5.15.160 (inc) to 5.16 (inc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.15.160 (inc) to 5.16 (inc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.15.160 (inc) to 5.16 (inc)
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Exploitability
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves improper handling of a pointer (rdp's->nocb_cb_kthread) during CPU online preparation. If the creation of certain kernel threads fails, the pointer may remain unassigned but still be accessed later, leading to invalid pointer access. This happens because the system incorrectly uses a pointer that may not be valid after CPU offload and re-offload operations, potentially causing kernel thread operations to access invalid memory.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability can lead to invalid pointer access within the kernel, which may cause system instability, crashes, or unpredictable behavior during CPU online/offline operations. This could affect system reliability and potentially lead to denial of service or other kernel-level issues.

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