How severe is CVE-2025-32438?

CVE-2025-32438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-32438 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (6th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-32438?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2025-32438 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-32438 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-10983.

When was CVE-2025-32438 published?

CVE-2025-32438 was published on 2025-04-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2025-32438

CVE-2025-32438 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-378.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (6th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-10983
Weakness: CWE-378
Published: 2025-04-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

make-initrd-ng is a tool for copying binaries and their dependencies. Local privilege escalation affecting all NixOS users. With systemd.shutdownRamfs.enable enabled (the default) a local user is able to create a program that will be executed by root during shutdown. Patches exist for NixOS 24.11 and 25.05 / unstable. As a workaround, set systemd.shutdownRamfs.enable = false;.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-32438?: make-initrd-ng is a tool for copying binaries and their dependencies. Local privilege escalation affecting all NixOS users. With systemd.shutdownRamfs.enable enabled (the default) a local user is able to create a program that will be executed by root during shutdown. Patches exist for NixOS 24.11 and 25.05 / unstable. As a workaround, set systemd.shutdownRamfs.enable = false;.
How severe is CVE-2025-32438?: CVE-2025-32438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-32438 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (6th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2025-32438?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2025-32438 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2025-32438 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-10983.
When was CVE-2025-32438 published?: CVE-2025-32438 was published on 2025-04-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

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