CVE-2025-38049
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/resctrl: Fix allocation of cleanest CLOSID on platforms with no monitors Commit 6eac36bb9eb0 ("x86/resctrl: Allocate the cleanest CLOSID by searching closid_num_dirty_rmid") added logic that causes resctrl to search for the CLOSID with the fewest dirty cache lines when creating a new control group, if requested by the arch code. This depends on the values read from the llc_occupancy counters. The logic is applicable to architectures where the CLOSID effectively forms part of the monitoring identifier and so do not allow complete freedom to choose an unused monitoring identifier for a given CLOSID. This support missed that some platforms may not have these counters. This causes a NULL pointer dereference when creating a new control group as the array was not allocated by dom_data_init(). As this feature isn't necessary on platforms that don't have cache occupancy monitors, add this to the check that occurs when a new control group is allocated.
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-2025-38049 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
6.9
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.12.23,
6.13.11,
6.14.2,
6.15
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38049 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/93a418fc61da13d1ee4047d4d1327990f7a2816a
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a121798ae669351ec0697c94f71c3a692b2a755b
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8a1bcc27d4607227088d80483164289b5348293
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2025-38049?
CVE-2025-38049 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 6.9 onward and has been patched in 6.12.23, 6.13.11, 6.14.2 and others. CVE-2025-38049 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-2025-38049?
CVE-2025-38049 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-2025-38049?
Yes — CVE-2025-38049 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.23, 6.13.11, 6.14.2 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.9 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2025-38049 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-38049 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 →