Vulnerability · CVE-2025-32438
make-initrd-ng is a tool for copying binaries and their dependencies.
Published Apr 15, 2025 · corrected/updated Apr 15, 2025 · NixOS nixpkgs · evidence confidence high
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;.
Grounded briefings
Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.
Executive
CVE-2025-32438 is a high public vulnerability record for NixOS nixpkgs. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.
System administrator
Identify whether NixOS nixpkgs is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: NixOS nixpkgs < fbf76bf72b161b9f4ab97704a8258776d5f3ffba (< fbf76bf72b161b9f4ab97704a8258776d5f3ffba). Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.
Security analyst
Signals on file: CVSS 8.8, EPSS 19.0%. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Sources contributing to this record: euvd. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.
Exploitation and remediation
Exploitation evidence
Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.
Patch and remediation
No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.
Safe detection guidance
Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Apr 15, 2025 · EUVD
Detected
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;.
Apr 15, 2025 · EUVD
Updated
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;.
Affected
- vendor NixOS nixpkgs < fbf76bf72b161b9f4ab97704a8258776d5f3ffba< fbf76bf72b161b9f4ab97704a8258776d5f3ffba
Sources
- EUVDVulnerability recordEUVD-2025-10983
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 exis
euvd.enisa.europa.eu