CVE-2025-38378: Linux kernel · HID: appletb-kbd: fix slab use-after-free bug in appletb_kbd_probe
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 15 Nov 2026, 01:59 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Jul 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 14 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcp-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-hwe-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-raspi-realtimepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-realtimepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-realtime?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 fix is available that properly deletes the timer on failure paths and during device removal by calling timer_delete_sync() conditionally. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this patch to mitigate the vulnerability. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official fix.
Description
CVE-2025-38378 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HID appletb-kbd driver. The flaw occurs in the appletb_kbd_probe function when a timer is armed but not properly disarmed on failure paths, leading to access of freed memory after the timer expires. This can cause kernel memory corruption and potentially allow privilege escalation or denial of service. The issue is fixed by properly deleting the timer with timer_delete_sync on failure and during device removal.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38378 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38378 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/38224c472a038fa9ccd4085511dd9f3d6119dbf9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/38224c472a038fa9ccd4085511dd9f3d6119dbf9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/51720dee3a61ebace36c3dcdd0b4a488e0970f29 (opens in a new tab)