Linux
Linux Kernel Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Condition Vulnerability
At a glance
Actively exploited in the wild — prioritise confirming exposure.
Medium rather than High: exposure is scored at a default because we cannot see your systems or suppliers. If you run or depend on Linux Kernel, treat it as High.
Briefing
- Do not treat uncorroborated claims as confirmed breaches.
Questions to ask IT
- Do we run Linux Kernel, and which versions?
- Is any of it reachable from the internet?
- Have we checked whether it has already been used against us?
- If it is not yet patched, what mitigation is in place, and will the fix be done by 11 Nov?
Next steps
- Confirm exposure, mitigation status and any service interruption risk.
Vulnerability facts
Full CVE detail CVE-2025-38352- 7.8 · HighExploitable only with local access and a low-privilege account, and no one has to click or open anything. High impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Listed: attacks using it have been seen (on the catalogue since )
- ~1.4% estimated chance of attack in 30 days
- CVE-2025-38352 has estimated attack likelihood 0.0125 (~1.3% estimated chance of exploitation in 30 days; 66.4th percentile) as of 2026-07-31 — probability signal, not confirmed exploitation
Next steps
- Confirm whether affected products/versions are present and prioritise patching or mitigations
Summary
- Linux kernel contains a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability that has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
- CVE-2025-38352 is listed in known-exploited catalogue (exploitation in the wild)
- 3% estimated chance of exploitation in 30 days; 66.
- Authoritative catalogues report active exploitation of this vulnerability.
Why this matters in the UK
- Known-exploited catalogue reports exploitation in the wild
Products and services involved
- Linux Kernel98% match confidence · CVE-2025-38352
Part of Broadcom VMWare ESX Insufficient Logging Vulnerability
Pulse
Last checked 4d ago · Recheck overdue since 5 Nov 2026, 23:35 UK time · 1 quiet check collapsed
Suggested changed to 7d.
Listed on the — prioritise confirming exposure and patching.
1 quiet check hidden.
Sources
Linux Kernel Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Condition Vulnerability
How we know
Statements extracted from sources. Higher confidence means stronger corroboration.
- ConfirmedHeadline90% confidence
Linux Kernel Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Condition Vulnerability
- ConfirmedSummary fact75% confidence
Linux kernel contains a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability that has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Affects Linux Kernel. Known ransomware campaign use: Unknown. Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- ConfirmedCVE identifier95% confidence
Event involves CVE-2025-38352
- ConfirmedKnown-exploited catalogue98% confidence
CVE-2025-38352 is listed in known-exploited catalogue (exploitation in the wild)
- ConfirmedEstimated attack likelihood95% confidence
CVE-2025-38352 has estimated attack likelihood 0.0125 (~1.3% estimated chance of exploitation in 30 days; 66.4th percentile) as of 2026-07-31 — probability signal, not confirmed exploitation

