CVE-2025-38350
Description
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's net/sched subsystem, specifically in the Credit-Based Shaper (CBS) qdisc implementation (sch_cbs). The vulnerability occurs because the CBS qdisc's reset function (qdisc_reset_queue()) only resets its internal queue but fails to reset its child qdisc recursively. As a result, a mismatch in queue length (qlen) occurs between CBS and its children during interface resets, eventually allowing attackers to trigger UAF on a parent HFSC scheduler.
Statement
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and later releases, regular (non-root) users can exploit this issue by abusing unprivileged user namespaces. On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, unprivileged user namespaces are disabled by default. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 did not include support for them at all, meaning that root privileges are necessary to trigger this flaw.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, prevent the sch_cbs module from being loaded. Please see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 for how information on how to blacklist a kernel module to prevent it from loading automatically.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | High | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | High | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Memory
The use of previously freed memory may corrupt valid data, if the memory area in question has been allocated and used properly elsewhere.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
If chunk consolidation occurs after the use of previously freed data, the process may crash when invalid data is used as chunk information.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Memory
Read operations on freed memory can sometimes leak sensitive information instead of causing a crash
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
If malicious data is entered before chunk consolidation can take place, it may be possible to take advantage of a write-what-where primitive to execute arbitrary code. If the newly allocated data happens to hold a class, in C++ for example, various function pointers may be scattered within the heap data. If one of these function pointers is overwritten with an address to valid shellcode, execution of arbitrary code can be achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
