CVE-2025-38074 vhost-scsi: protect vq->log_used with vq->mutex
A race condition in the Linux kernel vhost-scsi driver allows invalid memory writes, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-38074?
CVE-2025-38074 is a high-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 18 Jun 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
vhost-scsi: protect vq->log_used with vq->mutex
The vhost-scsi completion path may access vq->log_base when vq->log_used is already set to false.
vhost-thread QEMU-thread
vhost_scsi_complete_cmd_work() -> vhost_add_used() -> vhost_add_used_n() if (unlikely(vq->log_used)) QEMU disables vq->log_used via VHOST_SET_VRING_ADDR. mutex_lock(&vq->mutex); vq->log_used = false now! mutex_unlock(&vq->mutex);
QEMU gfree(vq->log_base) log_used() -> log_write(vq->log_base)
Assuming the VMM is QEMU. The vq->log_base is from QEMU userpace and can be reclaimed via gfree(). As a result, this causes invalid memory writes to QEMU userspace.
The control queue path has the same issue.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-38074?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Debian Debian Linux, Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38074?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-38074 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-38074 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-38074, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38074, GHSA-7p5h-9pp6-5wqc, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2025-38074, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2025-38074, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2025-38074 and 2 more.