CVE-2025-38527

  • Published: 2025-08-16T12:15:28.183

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

smb: client: fix use-after-free in cifs_oplock_break

A race condition can occur in cifs_oplock_break() leading to a
use-after-free of the cinode structure when unmounting:

cifs_oplock_break()
_cifsFileInfo_put(cfile)
cifsFileInfo_put_final()
cifs_sb_deactive()
[last ref, start releasing sb]
kill_sb()
kill_anon_super()
generic_shutdown_super()
evict_inodes()
dispose_list()
evict()
destroy_inode()
call_rcu(&inode->i_rcu, i_callback)
spin_lock(&cinode->open_file_lock) open_file_lock) <- UAF
cifs_done_oplock_break(cinode) <- UAF

The issue occurs when umount has already released its reference to the
superblock. When _cifsFileInfo_put() calls cifs_sb_deactive(), this
releases the last reference, triggering the immediate cleanup of all
inodes under RCU. However, cifs_oplock_break() continues to access the
cinode after this point, resulting in use-after-free.

Fix this by holding an extra reference to the superblock during the
entire oplock break operation. This ensures that the superblock and
its inodes remain valid until the oplock break completes.

Related CVE by CWE

No related CWE found.

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How to fix CVE-2025-38527

CVE-2025-38527 is a unknown severity vulnerability affecting the affected product.

Description: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix use-after-free in cifs_oplock_break A race condition can occur in cifs_oplock_break() leading to a use-after-free of the cinode structure when unmounting: cifs_oplock_break() _cifsFileInfo_put(cfile) cifsFileInfo_put_final() cifs_sb_deactive() [last ref, start releasing sb] kill_sb() kill_anon_super() generic_shutdown_super() evict_inodes() dispose_list() evict() destroy_inode() call_rcu(&inode->i_rcu, i_callback) spin_lock(&cinode->open_file_lock) open_file_lock) <- UAF […]

Exploit Difficulty: HARD
⏱️ Time to exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Required skills: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public exploits: Rare or not public

How to Fix:

1 Identify affected systems

- Check if you're running the affected product

2 Immediate actions

- Update to the latest patched version
- If patching is not immediately possible: restrict network exposure, apply least-privilege access

3 Verification

- Test the fix in a staging environment first
- Review logs for signs of exploitation
- Monitor for IOCs (Indicators of Compromise)

4 Long-term prevention

- Enable automatic security updates
- Set up vulnerability monitoring
- Review and harden security configurations

Exploit Difficulty Assessment

HARD
⏱️ Time to Exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Skills Required: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public Exploits: Rare or not public

Vulnerability Timeline

Aug 16, 2025
Vulnerability Published

CVE details first published to NVD database

Nov 12, 2025
Imported to Database

Added to this CVE tracking system

Detection Rules & IOCs

No specific detection rules generated for this vulnerability type.

No vendor/product data available.