CVE-2025-38100: x86/iopl: Cure TIF_IO_BITMAP inconsistencies

Published Jul 3, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

x86/iopl: Cure TIFIOBITMAP inconsistencies

iobitmapexit() is invoked from exitthread() when a task exists or when a fork fails. In the latter case the exitthread() cleans up resources which were allocated during fork().

iobitmapexit() invokes taskupdateiobitmap(), which in turn ends up in tssupdateiobitmap(). tssupdateiobitmap() operates on the current task. If current has TIFIOBITMAP set, but no bitmap installed, tssupdateiobitmap() crashes with a NULL pointer dereference.

There are two issues, which lead to that problem:

1) iobitmapexit() should not invoke taskupdateiobitmap() when the task, which is cleaned up, is not the current task. That's a clear indicator for a cleanup after a failed fork().

2) A task should not have TIFIOBITMAP set and neither a bitmap installed nor IOPL emulation level 3 activated.

This happens when a kernel thread is created in the context of a user space thread, which has TIFIOBITMAP set as the thread flags are copied and the IO bitmap pointer is cleared.

Other than in the failed fork() case this has no impact because kernel threads including IO workers never return to user space and therefore never invoke tssupdateiobitmap().

Cure this by adding the missing cleanups and checks:

1) Prevent iobitmapexit() to invoke taskupdateiobitmap() if the to be cleaned up task is not the current task.

2) Clear TIFIOBITMAP in copythread() unconditionally. For user space forks it is set later, when the IO bitmap is inherited in iobitmapshare().

For paranoia sake, add a warning into tssupdateiobitmap() to catch the case, when that code is invoked with inconsistent state.

Affected Software

9 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.10.239
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.186
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.142
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.94
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.34
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.15.3
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.113-17.2.12-17.2.13-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.113-1Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.13-1

Event History

Jul 3, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:35 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:35 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38100?

CVE-2025-38100 has been classified as a moderate severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38100?

To fix CVE-2025-38100, update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2025-38100?

CVE-2025-38100 affects various Linux kernel versions utilized in different Linux distributions.

4

What are the risks associated with CVE-2025-38100?

Exploitation of CVE-2025-38100 could potentially allow unauthorized access to kernel resources or cause resource leaks.

5

When was CVE-2025-38100 disclosed?

CVE-2025-38100 was disclosed as part of the ongoing maintenance and security updates of the Linux kernel.

Contact

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