CVE-2025-38394: Linux kernel · HID: appletb-kbd: fix memory corruption of input_handler_list
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 unregisters the input handler from the input core upon probe failure, preventing the use-after-free condition. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this fix. No other mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2025-38394 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HID appletb-kbd driver that causes memory corruption due to a use-after-free (UAF) condition in the input_handler_list. The flaw occurs when an input handler is registered but then freed after a probe failure without being unregistered, leaving a dangling pointer in the global input_handler_list. This dangling pointer leads to memory corruption when new input devices are registered and the corrupted list is traversed. The issue has been fixed by ensuring proper unregistration of the input handler.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38394 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38394 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c80f2b047d5cc42fbd2dff9d1942d4ba7545100f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ad40b07e15c29712d9a4b8096914ccd82e3fc17 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c80f2b047d5cc42fbd2dff9d1942d4ba7545100f (opens in a new tab)