CVE-2025-38456 ipmi:msghandler: Fix potential memory corruption in ipmi_create_user()
A memory corruption vulnerability in the Linux kernel IPMI message handler allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges via invalid pointer dereference.
- 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-2025-38456?
CVE-2025-38456 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 25 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:
ipmi:msghandler: Fix potential memory corruption in ipmi_create_user()
The "intf" list iterator is an invalid pointer if the correct "intf->intf_num" is not found. Calling atomic_dec(&intf->nr_users) on and invalid pointer will lead to memory corruption.
We don't really need to call atomic_dec() if we haven't called atomic_add_return() so update the if (intf->in_shutdown) path as well.
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-38456?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Debian Debian Linux, Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38456?
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-2025-38456 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-38456 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux
Sources
Also known as AZL-65714, BELL-CVE-2025-38456, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38456, GHSA-45pp-43qp-pmgc, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2025-38456, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2025-38456 and 1 more.