Symlink Resolution Issue in Linux Kernel Affects SMB Client Functionality

CVE-2025-38431

What is CVE-2025-38431?

A vulnerability in the SMB client of the Linux kernel affects how symlinks are resolved. Users experienced failures with backup and copy tools when attempting to process directories containing symlink targets, causing operations to fail even if the symlink itself was not followed. The issue stems from the client’s inability to correctly parse certain symlink structures, disrupting standard functionality. The fix restores the expected behavior by ensuring that the lstat(2) and readlink(2) system calls succeed even when the symlink target cannot be resolved. This resolution helps maintain consistency for users relying on these operations.

References