Critical SUSE Linux Kernel RT security update patches 11 vulnerabilities, including high-severity CVEs like CVE-2025-38087 and CVE-2025-38212. Learn about the risks, affected systems, and immediate patch instructions to protect your enterprise servers from local privilege escalation and denial-of-service attacks.
Author: SUSE Security Team
CVE Severity: Important
A critical live patch update (SUSE-SU-2025:03108-1) has been released for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6 and its derivatives, addressing eleven significant security vulnerabilities in the Linux Kernel Real-Time (RT) version 6.4.0-150600_8.
This proactive maintenance release is rated "important" and is essential for maintaining system integrity, preventing privilege escalation, and safeguarding against denial-of-service (DoS) conditions. System administrators are urged to apply this patch immediately to mitigate potential risks that could be exploited by local attackers.
Why This SUSE Linux Kernel Update Is Critical for Your Systems
Enterprise server environments rely on the stability and security of the kernel—the core of the operating system. The vulnerabilities patched in this release are not merely theoretical; they represent tangible risks to business continuity.
A single unpatched kernel flaw can serve as an entry point for attackers to compromise an entire system, leading to data breaches, service downtime, and significant financial and reputational damage.
This update specifically fortifies the kernel against a range of local attacks, making it a non-negotiable imperative for any security-conscious organization running SUSE Linux Enterprise platforms.
Detailed Analysis of Patched Security Vulnerabilities (CVEs)
The following security issues were identified and resolved in this comprehensive kernel patch. Understanding the nature of each threat is key to appreciating the update's importance.
1. High-Severity Network & Scheduling Vulnerabilities
CVE-2025-38087 (CVSS: 7.3/8.5): A use-after-free flaw was discovered in the
net/schedsubsystem related to thetaprio_dev_notifier. This vulnerability could allow a local attacker to crash the system or potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by manipulating network device events.
CVE-2025-38001 (CVSS: 8.5/7.8) & CVE-2025-38000 (CVSS: 7.3/7.0): These related vulnerabilities within the Hierarchical Fair Service Curve (HFSC) packet scheduler could lead to memory corruption or incorrect queue length accounting. An attacker could exploit these flaws to cause a kernel panic (DoS) or destabilize network performance.
CVE-2025-37890 (CVSS: 7.0): This patch fixes a use-after-free vulnerability when using HFSC in conjunction with the Network Emulator (
netem) qdisc. This specific configuration bug could be triggered to cause a system crash.
CVE-2025-21659 (CVSS: 8.4/7.1): This critical flaw prevented proper namespace isolation, allowing a process in one network namespace to access and manipulate NAPI instances in another. This breach of container security could lead to information disclosure or service disruption across containers.
2. Critical File System and Memory Management Flaws
CVE-2025-21999 (CVSS: 6.8/7.8): A use-after-free bug in the
procfilesystem'sproc_get_inode()function. A local attacker could exploit this to manipulate /proc entries, leading to a system crash or privilege escalation.
CVE-2024-49867 (CVSS: 7.3/5.5): A race condition in the Btrfs filesystem during umount operations. If exploited, this could corrupt the filesystem's state by stopping the cleaner kthread before fixup workers had completed their tasks.
CVE-2024-47674 (CVSS: 7.3/5.5) & CVE-2024-47706 (CVSS: 7.3/5.5): These vulnerabilities involved the kernel's memory management (
mm) and block layer (BFQ scheduler) subsystems, respectively. Both could lead to use-after-free conditions, potentially resulting in system crashes or other unpredictable behavior.
3. Additional Patched Vulnerabilities
The update also includes fixes for:
CVE-2025-21701: A race condition between device unregistration and ethtool operations.
CVE-2025-38212: A flaw in Inter-Process Communication (IPC) that required better protection of lookups using RCU locking.
CVE-2024-47706: A UAF in the BFQ I/O scheduler with merge chains.
Affected SUSE Linux Enterprise Products
This security update applies to the following SUSE product versions:
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
Step-by-Step Patch Installation Instructions
Applying this update is a straightforward process. SUSE recommends using your standard system management tools.
Primary Method (Recommended):
Use the YaST online update module or execute the following command via terminal:
sudo zypper patch
Alternative Method (Direct Patch Installation):
For SUSE Linux Enterprise Live Patching 15-SP6, you can install the specific patch package directly:
zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Module-Live-Patching-15-SP6-2025-3108=1
After applying the update, a system reboot is recommended to ensure the new kernel version is loaded and all vulnerabilities are fully mitigated.
Best Practices for Enterprise Linux Security Patching
Why is a structured patch management strategy crucial? Reactive patching leaves systems vulnerable. Leading organizations implement:
A Staged Rollout: Test patches in a development/QA environment before deploying to production servers.
Regular Maintenance Windows: Schedule consistent times for system updates to minimize operational disruption.
Monitoring and Compliance: Use tools like SUSE Manager to track patch compliance across your entire server fleet, ensuring no system is left behind.
Staying current with kernel updates is your first and most effective defense against evolving cyber threats targeting Linux infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the biggest risk if I don't apply this update?
A: The highest risks are local privilege escalation (where a user gains root access) and system instability leading to denial-of-service. Vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-38087 and CVE-2025-21999 are particularly concerning.
Q: Do I need to reboot my server after applying this live patch?
A: While SUSE's Live Patching technology can often apply fixes without a reboot, a reboot is always the recommended action to ensure the kernel is fully consistent and all vulnerabilities are completely mitigated.
Q: Where can I find more technical details about these CVEs?
A: You can find authoritative information on the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) or directly on the SUSE Security CVE pages (links provided in the references below).
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