Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-38440)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-38440). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/mlx5e: Fix race between DIM disable and net_dim()
There's a race between disabling DIM and NAPI callbacks using the dim
pointer on the RQ or SQ.
If NAPI checks the DIM state bit and sees it still set, it assumes
rq->dim or sq->dim is valid. But if DIM gets disabled right after
that check, the pointer might already be set to NULL, leading to a NULL
pointer dereference in net_dim().
Fix this by calling synchronize_net() before freeing the DIM context.
This ensures all in-progress NAPI callbacks are finished before the
pointer is cleared.
Kernel log:
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000
...
RIP: 0010:net_dim+0x23/0x190
...
Call Trace:
? __die+0x20/0x60
? page_fault_oops+0x150/0x3e0
? common_interrupt+0xf/0xa0
? sysvec_call_function_single+0xb/0x90
? exc_page_fault+0x74/0x130
? asm_exc_page_fault+0x22/0x30
? net_dim+0x23/0x190
? mlx5e_poll_ico_cq+0x41/0x6f0 [mlx5_core]
? sysvec_apic_timer_interrupt+0xb/0x90
mlx5e_handle_rx_dim+0x92/0xd0 [mlx5_core]
mlx5e_napi_poll+0x2cd/0xac0 [mlx5_core]
? mlx5e_poll_ico_cq+0xe5/0x6f0 [mlx5_core]
busy_poll_stop+0xa2/0x200
? mlx5e_napi_poll+0x1d9/0xac0 [mlx5_core]
? mlx5e_trigger_irq+0x130/0x130 [mlx5_core]
__napi_busy_loop+0x345/0x3b0
? sysvec_call_function_single+0xb/0x90
? asm_sysvec_call_function_single+0x16/0x20
? sysvec_apic_timer_interrupt+0xb/0x90
? pcpu_free_area+0x1e4/0x2e0
napi_busy_loop+0x11/0x20
xsk_re…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-38440 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2025-38440" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-38440 (Linux kernel) — CWE-362 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
A vulnerability (CWE-362) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2025-38440 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.12.41-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38440 linux Fixed in: 6.12.41-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-38440 linux
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org