CVE-2025-22067 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/16/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
spi: cadence: Fix out-of-bounds array access in cdns_mrvl_xspi_setup_clock()
If requested_clk > 128, cdns_mrvl_xspi_setup_clock() iterates over the entire cdns_mrvl_xspi_clk_div_list array without breaking out early, causing 'i' to go beyond the array bounds.
Fix that by stopping the loop when it gets to the last entry, clamping the clock to the minimum 6.25 MHz.
Fixes the following warning with an UBSAN kernel:
vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: cdns_mrvl_xspi_setup_clock: unexpected end of section .text.cdns_mrvl_xspi_setup_clock
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-22067 resides within the Linux kernel's SPI subsystem, specifically affecting the Cadence SPI controller driver implementation. This issue manifests in the cdns_mrvl_xspi_setup_clock() function which handles clock configuration for SPI communications. The flaw occurs when a requested clock frequency exceeds 128, triggering an out-of-bounds array access that can lead to system instability and potential security implications. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition where loop iteration continues beyond array boundaries without proper bounds checking mechanisms.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate loop termination conditions within the clock division calculation logic. When the requested clock frequency surpasses the threshold of 128, the function continues iterating through the entire cdns_mrvl_xspi_clk_div_list array without implementing early exit conditions. This unbounded iteration causes the loop counter variable 'i' to exceed the maximum array index, resulting in memory access violations that can corrupt kernel data structures. The Universal Security Analyzer (UBSAN) tool detects this condition and generates the specific warning indicating an unexpected end of section in the .text.cdns_mrvl_xspi_setup_clock function, highlighting the memory corruption potential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially compromise system stability and integrity. An attacker could exploit this condition through malicious SPI communication attempts or by manipulating clock frequency parameters in SPI controller configurations. The out-of-bounds access could lead to kernel panics, system crashes, or more insidiously, allow privilege escalation by corrupting kernel memory regions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a direct threat to the kernel's memory safety mechanisms. The issue also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the kernel to gain elevated privileges.
The fix implemented addresses the core issue by introducing proper loop termination when reaching the last entry in the clock division list array. This solution clamps the requested clock frequency to the minimum 6.25 MHz threshold, ensuring that the iteration never exceeds array bounds. The mitigation strategy prevents the dangerous loop continuation that previously allowed memory corruption while maintaining functional SPI clock configuration capabilities. This approach aligns with defensive programming principles and follows the principle of least privilege by limiting clock frequency adjustments to safe operational ranges. The resolution effectively neutralizes the potential for kernel memory corruption while preserving the driver's essential functionality for SPI communication operations.