CVE-2025-38140: Linux kernel · dm: limit swapping tables for devices with zone write plugs
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.14.0-1013.13~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.14.0-1013.13~24.04.1, 6.14.0-1007.7, 6.14.0-1016.17~24.04.1 +3
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 3 Jul 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.8.0-136.136?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.8.0-1060.63?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14@6.14.0-1013.13~24.04.1?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.8.0-1062.69?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11@6.11.0-1018.18~24.04.1?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix restricts table reloads that change zoned settings for devices with zone plug resources, preventing the inconsistent state. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions as per the vendor advisory (Ubuntu Security Notice USN-7769-1). No additional mitigation actions are specified or required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's device mapper (dm) subsystem related to zone write plug resources has been resolved. The issue involves improper handling of zone settings during table reloads for devices with zone write plugs, which could lead to errors such as invalid memory reads. The fix restricts table reloads that change zoned settings for devices with zone plug resources, allowing only certain safe changes. This vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions and has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 5.5.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38140 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38140 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/121218bef4c1df165181f5cd8fc3a2246bac817e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/121218bef4c1df165181f5cd8fc3a2246bac817e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ac8acb0bfd98a1c65f3ca9a3e217a766124eebd8 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7769-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7770-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7771-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7769-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7769-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7789-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7789-2 (opens in a new tab)