A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit has been publicly launched for CVE-2025-38352, a race situation vulnerability affecting the Linux kernel’s POSIX CPU timer implementation.
The flaw permits attackers to set off use-after-free situations in kernel reminiscence, doubtlessly resulting in privilege escalation and system compromise.
CVE-2025-38352 is a race situation that happens within the kernel’s handle_posix_cpu_timers() perform, which processes timer alerts throughout CPU scheduler ticks.
The vulnerability exploits a timing window between when the kernel collects firing timers and processes them, permitting an attacker to free timer buildings whereas they’re nonetheless being accessed.
FieldValueCVE IDCVE-2025-38352Vulnerability TypeRace situation use-after-free in Linux kernel POSIX CPU timersAffected Componenthandle_posix_cpu_timers() within the Linux kernel POSIX CPU timers implementationAffected VersionsLinux LTS 6.12.33 (and associated susceptible builds, particularly 32-bit Android kernels)ImpactPotential native privilege escalation by way of kernel reminiscence corruption
The flaw impacts techniques with CONFIG_POSIX_CPU_TIMERS_TASK_WORK disabled, making it notably related to 32-bit Android gadgets.
The vulnerability requires particular situations: a zombie course of state have to be reached, and exact timing coordination is required to set off the race situation.
The PoC, printed on GitHub by safety researcher Faraz Sth, demonstrates how an attacker can carry out the next actions.
Create a POSIX CPU timer that fires after a particular CPU time interval. Pressure a thread right into a zombie state throughout important kernel operations.
Reap the zombie activity whereas timer processing is underway. Delete the timer via the timer_delete() syscall, inflicting untimely reminiscence deallocation.
Set off a use-after-free when the kernel continues accessing the freed timer. When profitable, the exploit generates KASAN reminiscence sanitizer warnings indicating UAF write operations within the posix_timer_queue_signal() perform.
On non-KASAN techniques, kernel warnings manifest within the send_sigqueue() perform.
Based on Faith2dxy advisories, this vulnerability has been actively exploited in restricted, focused assaults.The flaw requires native system entry and exact timing manipulation, however profitable exploitation might grant attackers elevated kernel privileges.
Kernel patches have been launched via the Linux kernel’s secure branches. Customers ought to replace to patched kernel variations instantly.
The repair prevents zombie processes from executing timer dealing with code, eliminating the race window.
System directors are suggested to prioritize patching, notably for Android gadgets and embedded Linux techniques utilizing susceptible kernel variations. The general public PoC availability accelerates the danger timeline for unpatched techniques.
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