CVE-2025-38604
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rtl818x: Kill URBs before clearing tx status queue In rtl8187_stop() move the call of usb_kill_anchored_urbs() before clearing b_tx_status.queue. This change prevents callbacks from using already freed skb due to anchor was not killed before freeing such skb. BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000080 #PF: supervisor read access in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0000) - not-present page PGD 0 P4D 0 Oops: Oops: 0000 [#1] SMP NOPTI CPU: 7 UID: 0 PID: 0 Comm: swapper/7 Not tainted 6.15.0 #8 PREEMPT(voluntary) Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 0.0.0 02/06/2015 RIP: 0010:ieee80211_tx_status_irqsafe+0x21/0xc0 [mac80211] Call Trace: <IRQ> rtl8187_tx_cb+0x116/0x150 [rtl8187] __usb_hcd_giveback_urb+0x9d/0x120 usb_giveback_urb_bh+0xbb/0x140 process_one_work+0x19b/0x3c0 bh_worker+0x1a7/0x210 tasklet_action+0x10/0x30 handle_softirqs+0xf0/0x340 __irq_exit_rcu+0xcd/0xf0 common_interrupt+0x85/0xa0 </IRQ> Tested on RTL8187BvE device. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
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-2025-38604 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
2.6.29
and later are affected. Fixed in
5.4.297,
5.10.241,
5.15.190,
6.1.148,
6.6.102,
6.12.42,
6.15.10,
6.16.1,
6.17
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38604 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
-
Third Party Advisory
-
Third Party Advisory
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/14ca6952691fa8cc91e7644512e6ff24a595283f
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/16d8fd74dbfca0ea58645cd2fca13be10cae3cdd
-
PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7858a95566f4ebf59524666683d2dcdba3fca968
Frequently asked questions
-
What is CVE-2025-38604?
CVE-2025-38604 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 2.6.29 onward and has been patched in 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190 and others. CVE-2025-38604 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
-
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38604?
CVE-2025-38604 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-2025-38604?
Yes — CVE-2025-38604 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.29 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
-
Is CVE-2025-38604 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-38604 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 →