CVE-2025-38722

Kernel memory compromise via premature descriptor installation

Published Sep 4, 2025 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux habanalabs driver allows local users with device access to read or corrupt kernel memory. export_dmabuf() calls dma_buf_fd(), which installs the descriptor before setup completes, so a racing close releases objects that the function then accesses. The path requires access to a habanalabs accelerator device node through a non-default privileged group; a successful race discloses or corrupts memory or interrupts the host.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the Linux habanalabs driver allows local users with device access to read or corrupt kernel memory. export_dmabuf() calls dma_buf_fd(), which installs the descriptor before setup completes, so a racing close releases objects that the function then accesses. The path requires access to a habanalabs accelerator device node through a non-default privileged group; a successful race discloses or corrupts memory or interrupts the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-38722
Published
Sep 4, 2025
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 4, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.16
  2. Affected versionversion=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <33927f3d0ecdcff06326d6e4edb6166aed42811c
  3. Affected versionversion=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <40deceb38f9db759772d1c289c28fd2a543f57fc
  4. Affected versionversion=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <55c232d7e0241f1d5120b595e7a9de24c75ed3d8
  5. Affected versionversion=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <c07886761fd6251db6938d4e747002e3d150d231

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.16; version=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <33927f3d0ecdcff06326d6e4edb6166aed42811c; version=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <40deceb38f9db759772d1c289c28fd2a543f57fc; version=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <55c232d7e0241f1d5120b595e7a9de24c75ed3d8; version=db1a8dd916aac986871f6b873a3aefad906f383a <c07886761fd6251db6938d4e747002e3d150d231

Published CVSS scores

7.8kernel.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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