CVE-2025-21870
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ASoC: SOF: ipc4-topology: Harden loops for looking up ALH copiers Other, non DAI copier widgets could have the same stream name (sname) as the ALH copier and in that case the copier->data is NULL, no alh_data is attached, which could lead to NULL pointer dereference. We could check for this NULL pointer in sof_ipc4_prepare_copier_module() and avoid the crash, but a similar loop in sof_ipc4_widget_setup_comp_dai() will miscalculate the ALH device count, causing broken audio. The correct fix is to harden the matching logic by making sure that the 1. widget is a DAI widget - so dai = w->private is valid 2. the dai (and thus the copier) is ALH copier
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2025-21870 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability
What is NULL Pointer Dereference?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.0
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.12.17,
6.13.5,
6.14
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-21870 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6fd60136d256b3b948333ebdb3835f41a95ab7ef
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/87c8768a96092ce75cd47fe076db5080db7ac515
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/93c6c2e5801aab09ef1ef99f248f3cd323c3f152
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2025-21870?
CVE-2025-21870 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.0 onward and has been patched in 6.12.17, 6.13.5 and 6.14. CVE-2025-21870 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-21870?
CVE-2025-21870 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-21870?
Yes — CVE-2025-21870 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.17, 6.13.5 and 6.14. If you are running Linux kernel 6.0 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2025-21870 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-21870 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →