CVE-2025-38489
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/bpf: Fix bpf_arch_text_poke() with new_addr == NULL again Commit 7ded842b356d ("s390/bpf: Fix bpf_plt pointer arithmetic") has accidentally removed the critical piece of commit c730fce7c70c ("s390/bpf: Fix bpf_arch_text_poke() with new_addr == NULL"), causing intermittent kernel panics in e.g. perf's on_switch() prog to reappear. Restore the fix and add a comment.
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-2025-38489 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
6.6.26,
6.8.5,
6.9
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.6.100,
6.12.40,
6.15.8,
6.16
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38489 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c7b20f7785cfdd59403333612c90b458b12307c
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6a5abf8cf182f577c7ae6c62f14debc9754ec986
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4f9c7846b1ac428921ce9676b1b8c80ed60093c
Frequently asked questions
-
What is CVE-2025-38489?
CVE-2025-38489 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 6.6.26 onward and has been patched in 6.6.100, 6.12.40, 6.15.8 and others. CVE-2025-38489 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
-
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38489?
CVE-2025-38489 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-2025-38489?
Yes — CVE-2025-38489 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.100, 6.12.40, 6.15.8 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.6.26 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
-
Is CVE-2025-38489 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-38489 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 →