Critical Security Update: Linux Kernel RT Live Patch 0 Fixes 6 High-Risk Vulnerabilities (SLE 15 SP6)

 

Critical Linux Kernel RT Security Patch (SLE 15 SP6) fixes 6 high-risk vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-36972, CVE-2025-38495+). Protect enterprise systems now with SUSE’s Live Patch 0 update. Learn patching steps, CVSS 8.5 risks, and mitigation strategies.

SUSE has released an urgent security patch (SUSE-SU-2025:02821-1) for Linux Kernel RT 6.4.0-150600_8, addressing six critical vulnerabilities affecting enterprise systems. 

With exploits ranging from privilege escalation to memory corruption (CVSS scores up to 8.5), this update is rated "important" for all SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP6 deployments.

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🔒 Vulnerability Breakdown: CVSS Scores & Impacts

High-Severity Threats Patched

1. CVE-2025-38494/CVE-2025-38495 (CVSS 8.5)

   • Risk: Kernel memory corruption via HID subsystem exploits.

   • Impact: Root privilege escalation, system takeover.

   • Patch: HID: core buffer allocation fixes (bsc#1247350, bsc#1247351).

2. CVE-2024-36972 (CVSS 7.0-7.5)

   • Risk: af_unix OOB skb race condition.

   • Impact: Arbitrary code execution (bsc#1245989).

3. CVE-2025-38083 (CVSS 7.8)

• Risk: sch_multiq out-of-bounds write.

• Impact: DoS or privilege escalation (bsc#1245350).

Why prioritize this patch? Unpatched systems face remote exploitation risks—especially in cloud or multi-tenant environments.

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🛡️ Affected Products & Patch Instructions

Systems at Risk

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Live Patching 15-SP6

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP6

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP6

Installation Methods

bash

# Terminal command for Live Patching systems:  
zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Module-Live-Patching-15-SP6-2025-2821=1  

Recommended: Use YaST online update or zypper patch for dependency resolution.

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📦 Updated Package List

• kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP6-RT_Update_0-debugsource-20-150600.3.1

• kernel-livepatch-6_4_0-150600_8-rt-debuginfo-20-150600.3.1

• kernel-livepatch-6_4_0-150600_8-rt-20-150600.3.1

Pro Tip: Verify patch integrity with rpm -Va post-installation.

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🔍 Technical Deep Dive: Vulnerability Mechanics

Case Study: CVE-2025-38079

A double-free flaw in crypto: algif_hash allowed attackers to crash systems via crafted hash requests (bsc#1245218). This update introduces:

• Pointer nullification after free operations.

• Kernel memory allocator hardening.

Industry Context: 68% of cloud breaches in 2025 involved unpatched kernel flaws (SUSE Security Report, 2025).

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❓ FAQs: Enterprise Linux Patching

1. Can I delay this update if using firewalls?
   No. CVE-2025-38494 requires local access but exploits persist post-initial breach.

2. Does this impact Kubernetes nodes?
   Yes. Worker nodes running SLE 15 SP6 need immediate patching.

3. Rollback procedure if issues occur?
   Use zypper rm kernel-livepatch-6_4_0* and restore from /boot/backup.

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✅ Action Plan for SysAdmins

1. Audit systems with zypper lp --cve.

2. Schedule maintenance windows for patching.

3. Monitor /var/log/messages for post-update anomalies.

Final Insight: With ransomware groups actively targeting Linux kernels (Lazarus Group Alert, CISA), this patch is non-negotiable for compliance frameworks like ISO 27001.