Use After Free in Linux

CVE-2025-38000

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sch_hfsc: Fix qlen accounting bug when using peek in hfsc_enqueue() When enqueuing the first packet to an HFSC class, hfsc_enqueue() calls the child qdisc's peek() operation before incrementing sch->q.qlen and sch->qstats.backlog. If the child qdisc uses qdisc_peek_dequeued(), this may trigger an immediate dequeue and potential packet drop. In such cases, qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog() is called, but the HFSC qdisc's qlen and backlog have not yet been updated, leading to inconsistent queue accounting. This can leave an empty HFSC class in the active list, causing further consequences like use-after-free. This patch fixes the bug by moving the increment of sch->q.qlen and sch->qstats.backlog before the call to the child qdisc's peek() operation. This ensures that queue length and backlog are always accurate when packet drops or dequeues are triggered during the peek.

Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free

EPSS: 0.002 (7.8th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38000?
CVE-2025-38000 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2025-06-06.
How severe is CVE-2025-38000?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.
Is CVE-2025-38000 known to be exploited?
1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.