CVE-2025-38443: nbd: fix uaf in nbd_genl_connect() error path

Published Jul 25, 2025
·
Updated

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

nbd: fix uaf in nbdgenlconnect() error path

There is a use-after-free issue in nbd:

block nbd6: Receive control failed (result -104) block nbd6: shutting down sockets ================================================================== BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in recvwork+0x694/0xa80 drivers/block/nbd.c:1022 Write of size 4 at addr ffff8880295de478 by task kworker/u33:0/67

CPU: 2 UID: 0 PID: 67 Comm: kworker/u33:0 Not tainted 6.15.0-rc5-syzkaller-00123-g2c89c1b655c0 #0 PREEMPT(full) Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS 1.16.3-debian-1.16.3-2~bpo12+1 04/01/2014 Workqueue: nbd6-recv recvwork Call Trace: <TASK> dumpstack lib/dumpstack.c:94 [inline] dumpstacklvl+0x116/0x1f0 lib/dumpstack.c:120 printaddressdescription mm/kasan/report.c:408 [inline] printreport+0xc3/0x670 mm/kasan/report.c:521 kasanreport+0xe0/0x110 mm/kasan/report.c:634 checkregioninline mm/kasan/generic.c:183 [inline] kasancheckrange+0xef/0x1a0 mm/kasan/generic.c:189 instrumentatomicreadwrite include/linux/instrumented.h:96 [inline] atomicdec include/linux/atomic/atomic-instrumented.h:592 [inline] recvwork+0x694/0xa80 drivers/block/nbd.c:1022 processonework+0x9cc/0x1b70 kernel/workqueue.c:3238 processscheduledworks kernel/workqueue.c:3319 [inline] workerthread+0x6c8/0xf10 kernel/workqueue.c:3400 kthread+0x3c2/0x780 kernel/kthread.c:464 retfromfork+0x45/0x80 arch/x86/kernel/process.c:153 retfromforkasm+0x1a/0x30 arch/x86/entry/entry64.S:245 </TASK>

nbdgenlconnect() does not properly stop the device on certain error paths after nbdstartdevice() has been called. This causes the error path to put nbd->config while recvwork continue to use the config after putting it, leading to use-after-free in recvwork.

This patch moves nbdstartdevice() after the backend file creation.

Affected Software

16 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=5.14<5.15.189
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.146
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.99
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.39
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.15.7
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc5
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-2
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.186.1-1
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 25, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:27 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:27 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Sep 3, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·11:12 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected 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-2025-38443?

CVE-2025-38443 has been classified with a severity rating that indicates a significant risk due to a use-after-free vulnerability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38443?

To address CVE-2025-38443, updating the Linux kernel to the latest version that contains the patch is recommended.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2025-38443?

CVE-2025-38443 affects the Linux kernel, specifically impacting systems using the nbd module.

4

What vulnerabilities are related to CVE-2025-38443?

CVE-2025-38443 may have related vulnerabilities in the nbd module, stemming from similar use-after-free issues.

5

Can CVE-2025-38443 be exploited remotely?

Yes, CVE-2025-38443 can potentially be exploited remotely if adequate protections and updates are not in place.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203