CVE-2025-38449: Linux kernel · drm/gem: Acquire references on GEM handles for framebuffers
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 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- 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 +32
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
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.
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 is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix ensures proper acquisition and reference counting of GEM handles attached to DRM framebuffers, preventing premature release and subsequent crashes. Users should update their Linux kernel to a fixed version as provided by their distribution's security advisories. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DRM GEM subsystem allowed GEM handles for framebuffers to be released prematurely, leading to use-after-free conditions and segmentation faults during mode-setting operations. This issue arises when a GEM handle is released while still attached to a DRM framebuffer, causing the dma-buf backing the buffer object to be freed improperly. The flaw was fixed by ensuring GEM handles are properly acquired and referenced, preventing the premature release. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a CVSS score of 7.8 (high impact).
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38449 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38449 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/5307dce878d4126e1b375587318955bd019c3741 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/08480e285c6a82ce689008d643e4a51db0aaef8b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cf520d9860d4ec9f7f32068825da31f18dd3f25 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5307dce878d4126e1b375587318955bd019c3741 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb4c956a15f8b7f870649454771fc3761f504b5f (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7880-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7934-1 (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-2 (opens in a new tab)