🛡️ CVE-2025-38373 — kernel
Description
IB/mlx5: Fix potential deadlock in MR deregistration
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
IB/mlx5: Fix potential deadlock in MR deregistration
The issue arises when kzalloc() is invoked while holding umem_mutex or
any other lock acquired under umem_mutex. This is problematic because
kzalloc() can trigger fs_reclaim_aqcuire(), which may, in turn, invoke
mmu_notifier_invalidate_range_start(). This function can lead to
mlx5_ib_invalidate_range(), which attempts to acquire umem_mutex again,
resulting in a deadlock.
The problematic flow:
CPU0 | CPU1
---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------
mlx5_ib_dereg_mr() |
→ revoke_mr() |
→ mutex_lock(&umem_odp->umem_mutex) |
| mlx5_mkey_cache_init()
| → mutex_lock(&dev->cache.rb_lock)
| → mlx5r_cache_create_ent_locked()
| → kzalloc(GFP_KERNEL)
| → fs_reclaim()
| → mmu_notifier_invalidate_range_start()
| → mlx5_ib_invalidate_range()
| → mutex_lock(&umem_odp->umem_mutex)
→ cache_ent_find_and_store() |
→ mutex_lock(&dev->cache.rb_lock) |
Additionally, when kzalloc() is called from within
cache_ent_find_and_store(), we encounter the same deadlock due to
re-acquisition of umem_mutex.
Solve by releasing umem_mutex in dereg_mr() after umr_revoke_mr()
and before acquiring rb_lock. This ensures that we don't hold
umem_mutex while performing memory allocations that could trigger
the reclaim path.
This change prevents the deadlock by ensuring proper lock ordering and
avoiding holding locks during memory allocation operations that could
trigger the reclaim path.
The following lockdep warning demonstrates the deadlock:
python3/20557 is trying to acquire lock:
ffff888387542128 (&umem_odp->umem_mutex){+.+.}-{4:4}, at:
mlx5_ib_invalidate_range+0x5b/0x550 [mlx5_ib]
but task is already holding lock:
ffffffff82f6b840 (mmu_notifier_invalidate_range_start){+.+.}-{0:0}, at:
unmap_vmas+0x7b/0x1a0
which lock already depends on the new lock.
the existing dependency chain (in reverse order) is:
-> #3 (mmu_notifier_invalidate_range_start){+.+.}-{0:0}:
fs_reclaim_acquire+0x60/0xd0
mem_cgroup_css_alloc+0x6f/0x9b0
cgroup_init_subsys+0xa4/0x240
cgroup_init+0x1c8/0x510
start_kernel+0x747/0x760
x86_64_start_reservations+0x25/0x30
x86_64_start_kernel+0x73/0x80
common_startup_64+0x129/0x138
-> #2 (fs_reclaim){+.+.}-{0:0}:
fs_reclaim_acquire+0x91/0xd0
__kmalloc_cache_noprof+0x4d/0x4c0
mlx5r_cache_create_ent_locked+0x75/0x620 [mlx5_ib]
mlx5_mkey_cache_init+0x186/0x360 [mlx5_ib]
mlx5_ib_stage_post_ib_reg_umr_init+0x3c/0x60 [mlx5_ib]
__mlx5_ib_add+0x4b/0x190 [mlx5_ib]
mlx5r_probe+0xd9/0x320 [mlx5_ib]
auxiliary_bus_probe+0x42/0x70
really_probe+0xdb/0x360
__driver_probe_device+0x8f/0x130
driver_probe_device+0x1f/0xb0
__driver_attach+0xd4/0x1f0
bus_for_each_dev+0x79/0xd0
bus_add_driver+0xf0/0x200
driver_register+0x6e/0xc0
__auxiliary_driver_register+0x6a/0xc0
do_one_initcall+0x5e/0x390
do_init_module+0x88/0x240
init_module_from_file+0x85/0xc0
idempotent_init_module+0x104/0x300
__x64_sys_finit_module+0x68/0xc0
do_syscall_64+0x6d/0x140
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53
-> #1 (&dev->cache.rb_lock){+.+.}-{4:4}:
__mutex_lock+0x98/0xf10
__mlx5_ib_dereg_mr+0x6f2/0x890 [mlx5_ib]
mlx5_ib_dereg_mr+0x21/0x110 [mlx5_ib]
ib_dereg_mr_user+0x85/0x1f0 [ib_core]
---truncated---
How this vulnerability can be exploited
This issue can be reached with local access to the system, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs low-level privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality none, integrity none, availability high.
Affected software
CVE-2025-38373 is recorded against 2 packages.
- kernel (from 6.13.0 up to 6.15.6)
- linux-kernel
Timeline and source
Published on 25 July 2025 and last revised on 15 July 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. A vendor advisory or fix has been published. Record sourced from NVD.
References
git.kernel.org (Web)
git.kernel.org (Web)
git.kernel.org (Web)
github.com (Advisory)
nvd.nist.gov (Advisory)
git.kernel.org (Package)
CVE-2025-38373 on other distributions
Each distribution ships its own build and its own fixed version. Pick the one you run:
Details
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| kernel | 6.13.0 | 6.15.6 |
| linux-kernel | — | — |
References
Similar Threats
- Unknown ALBA-2026:39332
- Unknown ALSA-2023:1703
- Unknown ALSA-2023:1566
- Unknown ALSA-2023:1470
- Unknown ALSA-2023:0951
More CVE 2025 advisories
Browse all of CVE 2025 in the advisory index.
Vulnerability Monitoring
Track new vulnerabilities in kernel
CVE-2025-38373 is rated CVSS 5.5 Medium. BotEraser monitors your WordPress installation and notifies you when software you use appears in our vulnerability database.
Set Up Free Alerts →No credit card required · Results in minutes
ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.