CVE-2025-38053
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: idpf: fix null-ptr-deref in idpf_features_check idpf_features_check is used to validate the TX packet. skb header length is compared with the hardware supported value received from the device control plane. The value is stored in the adapter structure and to access it, vport pointer is used. During reset all the vports are released and the vport pointer that the netdev private structure points to is NULL. To avoid null-ptr-deref, store the max header length value in netdev private structure. This also helps to cache the value and avoid accessing adapter pointer in hot path. BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000068 ... RIP: 0010:idpf_features_check+0x6d/0xe0 [idpf] Call Trace: <TASK> ? __die+0x23/0x70 ? page_fault_oops+0x154/0x520 ? exc_page_fault+0x76/0x190 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x26/0x30 ? idpf_features_check+0x6d/0xe0 [idpf] netif_skb_features+0x88/0x310 validate_xmit_skb+0x2a/0x2b0 validate_xmit_skb_list+0x4c/0x70 sch_direct_xmit+0x19d/0x3a0 __dev_queue_xmit+0xb74/0xe70 ...
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-2025-38053 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
6.7
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.12.31,
6.14.9,
6.15
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38053 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/2dabe349f7882ff1407a784d54d8541909329088
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bf1e751c5a5611aa037ab44cca955c141eb68dcc
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f6f5e9c8cb680c3cb9771fd9fa114319cbc4f514
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2025-38053?
CVE-2025-38053 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 6.7 onward and has been patched in 6.12.31, 6.14.9 and 6.15. CVE-2025-38053 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-2025-38053?
CVE-2025-38053 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-2025-38053?
Yes — CVE-2025-38053 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.31, 6.14.9 and 6.15. If you are running Linux kernel 6.7 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2025-38053 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-38053 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 →