CVE-2025-38700

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: libiscsi: Initialize iscsi_conn->dd_data only if memory is allocated In case of an ib_fast_reg_mr allocation failure during iSER setup, the machine hits a panic because iscsi_conn->dd_data is initialized unconditionally, even when no memory is allocated (dd_size == 0). This leads invalid pointer dereference during connection teardown. Fix by setting iscsi_conn->dd_data only if memory is actually allocated. Panic trace: ------------ iser: iser_create_fastreg_desc: Failed to allocate ib_fast_reg_mr err=-12 iser: iser_alloc_rx_descriptors: failed allocating rx descriptors / data buffers BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: fffffffffffffff8 RIP: 0010:swake_up_locked.part.5+0xa/0x40 Call Trace: complete+0x31/0x40 iscsi_iser_conn_stop+0x88/0xb0 [ib_iser] iscsi_stop_conn+0x66/0xc0 [scsi_transport_iscsi] iscsi_if_stop_conn+0x14a/0x150 [scsi_transport_iscsi] iscsi_if_rx+0x1135/0x1834 [scsi_transport_iscsi] ? netlink_lookup+0x12f/0x1b0 ? netlink_deliver_tap+0x2c/0x200 netlink_unicast+0x1ab/0x280 netlink_sendmsg+0x257/0x4f0 ? _copy_from_user+0x29/0x60 sock_sendmsg+0x5f/0x70

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-09-04
Last modified 2026-05-12
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-2025-38700 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 2.6.27 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2, 6.17 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.27
Fixed in
✓ 5.4.297 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.241 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.190 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.149 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.103 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.43 6.12.x ✓ 6.15.11 6.15.x ✓ 6.16.2 6.16.x ✓ 6.17

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38700 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

9 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-38700?

    CVE-2025-38700 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 2.6.27 onward and has been patched in 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190 and others. CVE-2025-38700 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38700?

    CVE-2025-38700 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-2025-38700?

    Yes — CVE-2025-38700 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.27 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-38700 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-38700 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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