CVE-2025-37755 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: libwx: handle page_pool_dev_alloc_pages error
page_pool_dev_alloc_pages could return NULL. There was a WARN_ON(!page) but it would still proceed to use the NULL pointer and then crash.
This is similar to commit 001ba0902046 ("net: fec: handle page_pool_dev_alloc_pages error").
This is found by our static analysis tool KNighter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-37755 resides within the Linux kernel's networking subsystem, specifically in the libwx component that manages page pool allocations for network operations. This flaw represents a critical null pointer dereference issue that can lead to system crashes and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests when the page_pool_dev_alloc_pages function fails to allocate memory pages and returns a NULL pointer, yet the subsequent code execution does not properly handle this error condition before attempting to use the NULL reference.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the network driver code that relies on page pool allocations for packet processing. When page_pool_dev_alloc_pages encounters allocation failure, it returns NULL as expected, but the surrounding code contains a WARN_ON(!page) check that merely logs a warning without preventing execution flow. This design flaw allows the code to proceed with using the NULL pointer in subsequent operations, ultimately resulting in kernel crashes. The vulnerability closely mirrors a previously addressed issue in the fec network driver, as indicated by the reference to commit 001ba0902046, suggesting a pattern of similar error handling deficiencies across network driver implementations.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-37755 extends beyond simple system instability, potentially enabling attackers to exploit this weakness for denial of service attacks against network services. Systems running affected kernel versions that process network traffic through the vulnerable libwx component are at risk of experiencing spontaneous kernel panics, particularly under conditions of high network load or memory pressure where page allocation failures are more likely to occur. This vulnerability affects the broader Linux networking stack and could compromise network availability for critical infrastructure services, making it particularly concerning for server environments and network appliances that rely on continuous network operation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-37755 require immediate kernel updates that implement proper error handling for page_pool_dev_alloc_pages return values. The fix should incorporate explicit NULL pointer checks before proceeding with memory operations, following established security practices for kernel development. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those handling significant network traffic volumes, while monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which addresses null pointer dereference issues, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining updated security tooling to identify similar patterns in other kernel components.