CVE-2025-38386: 
Linux Kernel vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-38386 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ACPICA (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Component Architecture) component, discovered and disclosed on July 25, 2025. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) including versions 7, 8, 9, and their real-time kernel variants (Red Hat CVE).

The vulnerability occurs when a platform firmware update increases the number of method parameters but fails to update at least one of its callers, resulting in an ACPICA crash due to use-after-free. The issue stems from an AML (ACPI Machine Language) problem where the interpreter cannot generate missing data. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.0 with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (Red Hat CVE).

The vulnerability could lead to a system crash due to use-after-free conditions when ACPICA attempts to evaluate methods with missing arguments. This affects the kernel's ability to properly handle ACPI operations, potentially impacting system stability and security (NVD).

The fix involves making ACPICA refuse to evaluate a method if the caller attempts to pass fewer arguments than expected. This preventive measure ensures that the system fails safely rather than attempting to process incomplete method calls (NVD).