CVE-2025-38549 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: efivarfs: Fix memory leak of efivarfs_fs_info in fs_context error paths When processing mount options, efivarfs allocates efivarfs_fs_info (sfi) early in fs_context initialization. However, sfi is associated with the superblock and typically freed when the superblock is destroyed. If the fs_context is released (final put) before fill_super is called—such as on error paths or during reconfiguration—the sfi structure would leak, as ownership never transfers to the superblock. Implement the .free callback in efivarfs_context_ops to ensure any allocated sfi is properly freed if the fs_context is torn down before fill_super, preventing this memory leak.
A memory leak vulnerability has been identified in the efivarfs file system of the Linux kernel. This issue arises during the processing of mount options, where the efivarfs file system information (sfi) is allocated early in the file system context (fs_context) initialization. The sfi is meant to be associated with the superblock and typically gets freed when the superblock is destroyed. However, if the fs_context is released before the superblock is fully initialized—such as during error handling or reconfiguration—the sfi structure remains allocated, leading to a memory leak. The vulnerability affects several versions of the Linux kernel.
The vulnerability has been addressed in the Linux kernel by implementing a .free callback in the efivarfs context operations. This change ensures that any allocated efivarfs file system information is properly freed if the file system context is torn down before the superblock is fully initialized. Users can apply the latest patches available in the Linux kernel stable tree to remediate this vulnerability.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
No SSVC data is available for this CVE.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
By selecting these links, you will be leaving this site. These are references gathered from the official CVE record and are not endorsed by Volerion.
| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64e135f1eaba0bbb0cdee859af3328c68d5b9789 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/816d36973467d1c9c08a48bdffe4675e219a2e84 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e9fabe7036bb8be6071f39dc38605508f5f57b20 | kernel.org | Patch |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-401 | Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| linux linux kernel | >= 6.7, < 6.12.40 >= 6.13, < 6.15.8 6.16 rc1 6.16 rc2 6.16 rc3 6.16 rc4 6.16 rc5 6.16 rc6 |
CPE
Remediation
| |
Change History
3 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| Aug 16, 2025 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |