CVE-2025-38204 jfs: fix array-index-out-of-bounds read in add_missing_indices

High 7.8 Published Updated

A local attacker can trigger an out-of-bounds read in the JFS filesystem, potentially causing a system crash or denial of service.

Exploited in the wild
Not known
Login needed
Not needed
Attackable
Local or same network only
Victim action needed
A user has to click or open something
Fix
Available

What is CVE-2025-38204?

CVE-2025-38204 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 4 Jul 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

jfs: fix array-index-out-of-bounds read in add_missing_indices

stbl is s8 but it must contain offsets into slot which can go from 0 to 127.

Added a bound check for that error and return -EIO if the check fails. Also make jfs_readdir return with error if add_missing_indices returns with an error.

Weakness: CWE-125

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-38204?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Debian Debian Linux, Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2025-38204?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2025-38204 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-38204 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Debian Debian Linux vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-38204, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38204, GHSA-362h-j6ww-x5f8, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2025-38204, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2025-38204, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-13-CVE-2025-38204 and 3 more.

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