CVE-2025-38542: net: appletalk: Fix device refcount leak in atrtr_create()

Published Aug 16, 2025
·
Updated

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

net: appletalk: Fix device refcount leak in atrtrcreate()

When updating an existing route entry in atrtrcreate(), the old device reference was not being released before assigning the new device, leading to a device refcount leak. Fix this by calling devput() to release the old device reference before holding the new one.

Affected Software

21 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=2.6.13<5.4.296
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.10.240
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<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=2.6.12
Linux Linux kernel=2.6.12-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=2.6.12-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=2.6.12-rc5
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 6.6.96.2-2
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.96.2-1
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.186.1-1

Event History

Aug 16, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·11:22 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·11:22 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·12:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 4, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·12:57 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·07:57 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Updated
via Microsoft·07:57 AM
SeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38542?

CVE-2025-38542 has been classified as a medium severity vulnerability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38542?

To fix CVE-2025-38542, update to the latest version of the Linux kernel where this vulnerability has been resolved.

3

What component of the Linux kernel is affected by CVE-2025-38542?

CVE-2025-38542 affects the appletalk networking component in the Linux kernel.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-38542?

CVE-2025-38542 is a reference counting leak vulnerability.

5

Is CVE-2025-38542 actively being exploited?

As of now, there are no public reports indicating that CVE-2025-38542 is actively being exploited.

Contact

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