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CVE-2025-38563

7.8 · HIGH

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/core: Prevent VMA split of buffer mappings The perf mmap code is careful about mmap()'ing the user page with the ringbuffe…

Published Aug 19, 2025EPSS 0.39%

Overview

CVE-2025-38563 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on August 19, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical description

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

perf/core: Prevent VMA split of buffer mappings

The perf mmap code is careful about mmap()'ing the user page with the

ringbuffer and additionally the auxiliary buffer, when the event supports

it. Once the first mapping is established, subsequent mapping have to use

the same offset and the same size in both cases. The reference counting for

the ringbuffer and the auxiliary buffer depends on this being correct.

Though perf does not prevent that a related mapping is split via mmap(2),

munmap(2) or mremap(2). A split of a VMA results in perf_mmap_open() calls,

which take reference counts, but then the subsequent perf_mmap_close()

calls are not longer fulfilling the offset and size checks. This leads to

reference count leaks.

As perf already has the requirement for subsequent mappings to match the

initial mapping, the obvious consequence is that VMA splits, caused by

resizing of a mapping or partial unmapping, have to b

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38563?

CVE-2025-38563 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on August 19, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2025-38563?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2025-38563?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2025-38563?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2025-38563 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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