CVE-2025-38321: linux kernel vulnerability

What is known

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: Log an error when close_all_cached_dirs fails Under low-memory conditions, close_all_cached_dirs() can't move the dentries to a separate list to dput() them once the locks are dropped. This will result in a "Dentry still in use" error, so add an error message that makes it clear this is what happened: [ 495.281119] CIFS: VFS: \\otters.example.com\share Out of memory while dropping dentries [ 495.281595] ------------[ cut here ]------------ [ 495.281887] BUG: Dentry ffff888115531138{i=78,n=/} still in use (2) [unmount of cifs cifs] [ 495.282391] WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 2329 at fs/dcache.c:1536 umount_check+0xc8/0xf0 Also, bail out of looping through all tcons as soon as a single allocation fails, since we're already in trouble, and kmalloc() attempts for subseqeuent tcons are likely to fail just like the first one did.

Business impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-38321, a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) affecting linux kernel, may affect the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the vulnerable environment. The exact impact depends on the installed version, exposed interfaces and deployment configuration.

Recommended administrator action

Confirm whether linux kernel is present and compare installed versions with the vendor advisory and NVD record. Apply the vendor patch or documented mitigation; until remediation is complete, reduce exposure of affected interfaces, review relevant logs and monitor for indicators of exploitation. DataHouse can support version verification, managed patching, network exposure reduction, log review and backup validation for dedicated, cloud and colocated environments.

Sources

• NVD
• Reference
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• Reference