CVE-2025-38396: Linux kernel · fs: export anon_inode_make_secure_inode() and fix secretmem LSM bypass
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 11 Nov 2026, 12:30 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1 +34
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 11 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
- 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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7856-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-5 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-vmwarepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-vmware?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | 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
|
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 has been released in multiple Linux kernel versions starting from 6.8.0 and specific earlier versions as listed in the fixedVersions. Users and administrators should apply these kernel updates promptly to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2025-38396 addresses a vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to the anon_inode_make_secure_inode() function and a security regression in the secretmem LSM. The fix involves exporting anon_inode_make_secure_inode() to properly create anonymous inodes with the correct security context, replacing a manual pattern that led to bypassing LSM/SELinux checks. This vulnerability affects various Linux kernel versions prior to 6.8.0 and specific earlier versions. A patch is available and has been released in multiple updated kernel versions.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38396 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38396 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/cbe4134ea4bc493239786220bd69cb8a13493190 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/66d29d757c968d2bee9124816da5d718eb352959 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ca45ea48530332a4ba09595767bd26d3232743b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cbe4134ea4bc493239786220bd69cb8a13493190 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3eed01347721cd7a8819568161c91d538fbf229 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f94c422157f3e43dd31990567b3e5d54b3e5b32b (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7833-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7856-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-5 (opens in a new tab)