CVE-2025-38703: Linux kernel · drm/xe: Make dma-fences compliant with the safe access rules
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, 12:29 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 +28
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 4 Sep 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-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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8052-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-7 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-8 (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 is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions to resolve this issue. The fixed versions include 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1 and later updates as listed in the established facts. Users should update to these fixed kernel versions as soon as possible. No additional mitigations are specified by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2025-38703 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's drm/xe driver related to improper handling of dma-fences. The flaw allows use-after-free conditions when dma-fences are freed prematurely without respecting safe access rules, potentially leading to memory corruption. The issue arises because the driver frees data pointed to by dma-fences, such as timeline names, while these fences may still be referenced externally. The vulnerability has been fixed by ensuring compliance with dma-fence safe access rules, including introducing RCU grace periods before freeing associated data structures.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38703 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38703 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6bd90e700b4285e6a7541e00f969cab0d696adde (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/683b0e397dad9f26a42dcacf6f7f545a77ce6c06 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6bd90e700b4285e6a7541e00f969cab0d696adde (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b17fcce70733c211cb5dabf54f4f9491920b1d92 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba37807d08bae67de6139346a85650cab5f6145a (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)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8031-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8052-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-7 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8028-8 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8052-2 (opens in a new tab)