Use After Free in Linux

CVE-2025-38536

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: airoha: fix potential use-after-free in airoha_npu_get() np->name was being used after calling of_node_put(np), which releases the node and can lead to a use-after-free bug. Previously, of_node_put(np) was called unconditionally after of_find_device_by_node(np), which could result in a use-after-free if pdev is NULL. This patch moves of_node_put(np) after the error check to ensure the node is only released after both the error and success cases are handled appropriately, preventing potential resource issues.

Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free

Published · last modified .

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.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.001 (3.4th percentile), scored .

Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 3rd percentile — 3.4% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS trend (30 days)EPSS over the last 30 days for CVE-2025-38536: held from 0.001 to 0.001.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.001 · newest: 0.001 · change: +0.000

Affected products

  • Linux — versions 23290c7bc190def4e1ca61610992d9b7c32e33f3, 6.15, 0
  • Linux Kernel — versions 6.16

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38536?
CVE-2025-38536 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2025-08-16.
How severe is CVE-2025-38536?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.