CVE-2025-38442

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: block: reject bs > ps block devices when THP is disabled If THP is disabled and when a block device with logical block size > page size is present, the following null ptr deref panic happens during boot: [ [13.2 mK AOSAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000000-0x0000000000K0 0 0[07] [ 13.017749] RIP: 0010:create_empty_buffers+0x3b/0x380 <snip> [ 13.025448] Call Trace: [ 13.025692] <TASK> [ 13.025895] block_read_full_folio+0x610/0x780 [ 13.026379] ? __pfx_blkdev_get_block+0x10/0x10 [ 13.027008] ? __folio_batch_add_and_move+0x1fa/0x2b0 [ 13.027548] ? __pfx_blkdev_read_folio+0x10/0x10 [ 13.028080] filemap_read_folio+0x9b/0x200 [ 13.028526] ? __pfx_filemap_read_folio+0x10/0x10 [ 13.029030] ? __filemap_get_folio+0x43/0x620 [ 13.029497] do_read_cache_folio+0x155/0x3b0 [ 13.029962] ? __pfx_blkdev_read_folio+0x10/0x10 [ 13.030381] read_part_sector+0xb7/0x2a0 [ 13.030805] read_lba+0x174/0x2c0 <snip> [ 13.045348] nvme_scan_ns+0x684/0x850 [nvme_core] [ 13.045858] ? __pfx_nvme_scan_ns+0x10/0x10 [nvme_core] [ 13.046414] ? _raw_spin_unlock+0x15/0x40 [ 13.046843] ? __switch_to+0x523/0x10a0 [ 13.047253] ? kvm_clock_get_cycles+0x14/0x30 [ 13.047742] ? __pfx_nvme_scan_ns_async+0x10/0x10 [nvme_core] [ 13.048353] async_run_entry_fn+0x96/0x4f0 [ 13.048787] process_one_work+0x667/0x10a0 [ 13.049219] worker_thread+0x63c/0xf60 As large folio support depends on THP, only allow bs > ps block devices if THP is enabled.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-07-25
Last modified 2025-11-19
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2025-38442 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 6.15 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.15.7, 6.16 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.15
Fixed in
✓ 6.15.7 6.15.x ✓ 6.16

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38442 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-38442?

    CVE-2025-38442 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 6.15 onward and has been patched in 6.15.7 and 6.16. CVE-2025-38442 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38442?

    CVE-2025-38442 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-2025-38442?

    Yes — CVE-2025-38442 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.15.7 and 6.16. If you are running Linux kernel 6.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-38442 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-38442 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • 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 →

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