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CVE-2025-38352: Linux Kernel Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Condition Vulnerability
CVE-2025-38352: high vulnerability affecting Kernel. Check CVSS, KEV status, business impact and recommended administrator actions.
- CVSS
- 7.4 HIGH
- EPSS
- 68.54%
- Known exploited
- yes
- Product
- Kernel
What is known
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-cpu-timers: fix race between handle_posix_cpu_timers() and posix_cpu_timer_del() If an exiting non-autoreaping task has already passed exit_notify() and calls handle_posix_cpu_timers() from IRQ, it can be reaped by its parent or debugger right after unlock_task_sighand(). If a concurrent posix_cpu_timer_del() runs at that moment, it won't be able to detect timer->it.cpu.firing != 0: cpu_timer_task_rcu() and/or lock_task_sighand() will fail. Add the tsk->exit_state check into run_posix_cpu_timers() to fix this. This fix is not needed if CONFIG_POSIX_CPU_TIMERS_TASK_WORK=y, because exit_task_work() is called before exit_notify(). But the check still makes sense, task_work_add(&tsk->posix_cputimers_work.work) will fail anyway in this case.
Business impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-38352, a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.4) affecting 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. CISA lists this vulnerability in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, so exposed systems should be treated as a priority.
Recommended administrator action
Confirm whether 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. Where applicable, include the CISA KEV remediation due date of 2025-09-25 in the change plan. DataHouse can support version verification, managed patching, network exposure reduction, log review and backup validation for dedicated, cloud and colocated environments.