CVE-2025-38231: Linux kernel · nfsd: Initialize ssc before laundromat_work to prevent NULL dereference
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.15.0-1092.99~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 11:42 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 7% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- 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 +59
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 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.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: Initialize ssc before laundromat_work to prevent NULL dereference In nfs4_state_start_net(), laundromat_work may access nfsd_ssc through nfs4_laundromat -> nfsd4_ssc_expire_umount. If nfsd_ssc isn't initialized, this can cause NULL pointer dereference. Normally the delayed start of laundromat_work allows sufficient time for nfsd_ssc initialization to complete. However, when the kernel waits too long for userspace responses (e.g. in nfs4_state_start_net -> nfsd4_end_grace -> nfsd4_record_grace_done -> nfsd4_cld_grace_done -> cld_pipe_upcall -> __cld_pipe_upcall -> wait_for_completion path), the delayed work may start before nfsd_ssc initialization finishes. Fix this by moving nfsd_ssc initialization before starting laundromat_work.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38231 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38231 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/b31da62889e6d610114d81dc7a6edbcaa503fcf8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0fccf5f01ed28725cc313a66ca1247eef911d55e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5060e1a5fef184bd11d298e3f0ee920d96a23236 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/83ac1ba8ca102ab5c0ed4351f8ac6e74ac4d5d64 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a97668ec6d73dab237cd1c15efe012a10090a4ed (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b31da62889e6d610114d81dc7a6edbcaa503fcf8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d622c2ee6c08147ab8c9b9e37d93b6e95d3258e0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/deaeb74ae9318252829c59a84a7d2316fc335660 (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)