CVE-2025-38211: Linux kernel · RDMA/iwcm: Fix use-after-free of work objects after cm_id destruction
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1092.99~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 11:28 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1092.99~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1096.105~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1092.101~20.04.1 +63
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 4 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.
Patches and advisories
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7775-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7776-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7775-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7775-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7834-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-2 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?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 addressing this vulnerability is available and should be applied promptly. The fixed versions include multiple releases in the 5.15.0 kernel series (e.g., 5.15.0-1086.89~20.04.1 and later). Users should update their Linux kernel to one of the fixed versions provided by their distribution vendor. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
CVE-2025-38211 is a critical use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's RDMA/iwcm subsystem. It arises from improper management of work objects associated with cm_id resources during their destruction, leading to potential kernel crashes. The flaw was introduced by a commit that freed cm_id resources once all references were removed, but event handler works could still access freed objects. Although a subsequent fix addressed some use-after-free cases by flushing pending works, another use-after-free remained related to work objects allocated per cm_id_priv. This vulnerability can cause kernel memory corruption and system instability. It affects multiple Linux kernel versions prior to fixed releases in the 5.15.0 series. A patch is available and should be applied to mitigate the issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38211 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38211 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6883b680e703c6b2efddb4e7a8d891ce1803d06b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/23a707bbcbea468eedb398832eeb7e8e0ceafd21 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b4a50d733acad6831f6bd9288a76a80f70650ac (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6883b680e703c6b2efddb4e7a8d891ce1803d06b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/764c9f69beabef8bdc651a7746c59f7a340d104f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/78381dc8a6b61c9bb9987d37b4d671b99767c4a1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fd960b5ddf4faf00da43babdd3acda68842e1f6a (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7775-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7776-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7775-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7775-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7774-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7834-1 (opens in a new tab)