CVE-2025-23158 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: venus: hfi: add check to handle incorrect queue size
qsize represents size of shared queued between driver and video firmware. Firmware can modify this value to an invalid large value. In such situation, empty_space will be bigger than the space actually available. Since new_wr_idx is not checked, so the following code will result in an OOB write. ... qsize = qhdr->q_size
if (wr_idx >= rd_idx) empty_space = qsize - (wr_idx - rd_idx) .... if (new_wr_idx < qsize) {
memcpy(wr_ptr, packet, dwords << 2) --> OOB write
Add check to ensure qsize is within the allocated size while reading and writing packets into the queue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-23158 resides within the Linux kernel's venus media driver, specifically in the hardware firmware interface component responsible for managing shared queues between the driver and video firmware. This flaw represents a critical buffer management issue that can lead to out-of-bounds memory writes, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability manifests in the queue handling logic where the queue size parameter qsize is not properly validated against the allocated memory boundaries, creating a scenario where firmware-controlled values can manipulate queue state calculations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of queue size parameters within the venus driver's hardware firmware interface. When firmware modifies the queue size value qsize to an invalid large value, the calculation of empty_space becomes incorrect, as it exceeds the actual available queue space. The root cause lies in the missing bounds checking for qsize during queue operations, where the new_wr_idx value is not properly validated against the allocated queue boundaries before memory operations occur. This flaw directly maps to CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs in kernel space where malicious firmware or compromised firmware components can exploit this weakness to manipulate memory layout and potentially escalate privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code within kernel space, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through malicious firmware updates or by compromising the firmware component that controls the queue size parameter. The out-of-bounds write condition allows for memory overwrite operations that could corrupt kernel data structures, modify function pointers, or inject malicious code into the kernel address space. This vulnerability affects systems utilizing the venus media driver for video processing, particularly those implementing hardware-accelerated video decoding and encoding operations. The attack surface is significant in embedded systems, mobile devices, and servers that rely on hardware video processing capabilities, where firmware integrity is critical for system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-23158 should focus on implementing robust input validation for queue size parameters and establishing proper bounds checking mechanisms. The primary fix involves adding validation checks to ensure that qsize values remain within the allocated memory boundaries during both read and write operations. System administrators should prioritize applying kernel updates that include the patched venus driver implementation, which incorporates proper queue size validation logic. Additionally, implementing firmware integrity checks and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized modifications to queue parameters. The solution should align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as well as T1547.001 for registry run keys, since these techniques often involve kernel-level privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of kernel components and firmware updates should be conducted to maintain system integrity and prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in related components.