CVE-2025-38202 bpf: Check rcu_read_lock_trace_held() in bpf_map_lookup_percpu_elem()
A missing lock check in the Linux kernel BPF subsystem can cause a warning or crash when using specific BPF helpers in sleepable programs.
- 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-2025-38202?
CVE-2025-38202 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 4 Jul 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:
bpf: Check rcu_read_lock_trace_held() in bpf_map_lookup_percpu_elem()
bpf_map_lookup_percpu_elem() helper is also available for sleepable bpf program. When BPF JIT is disabled or under 32-bit host, bpf_map_lookup_percpu_elem() will not be inlined. Using it in a sleepable bpf program will trigger the warning in bpf_map_lookup_percpu_elem(), because the bpf program only holds rcu_read_lock_trace lock. Therefore, add the missed check.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-38202?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Debian Debian Linux, Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38202?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-38202 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-38202 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux
Sources
Also known as AZL-64698, BELL-CVE-2025-38202, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38202, GHSA-wr55-h4jr-658c, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2025-38202, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2025-38202 and 2 more.