CVE-2025-37758 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ata: pata_pxa: Fix potential NULL pointer dereference in pxa_ata_probe()
devm_ioremap() returns NULL on error. Currently, pxa_ata_probe() does not check for this case, which can result in a NULL pointer dereference.
Add NULL check after devm_ioremap() to prevent this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-37758 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Linux kernel's ata subsystem, specifically affecting the pata_pxa driver implementation. This issue resides in the pxa_ata_probe() function where the driver fails to properly validate the return value from devm_ioremap() function call. The devm_ioremap() function is responsible for mapping hardware memory regions into the kernel's virtual address space and is designed to return NULL when memory mapping operations fail due to insufficient resources or hardware errors. When this function returns NULL, the subsequent code path in pxa_ata_probe() attempts to dereference this null pointer without proper validation, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to kernel crashes or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which defines NULL Pointer Dereference as a condition where a null value is dereferenced, typically leading to a kernel panic or system crash. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the device driver framework, specifically targeting the ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) subsystem that manages storage device communication. The pata_pxa driver is designed for PXA (Processor eXtension for ARM) platform architectures and handles legacy parallel ata interfaces. When the driver initialization process encounters a failure during memory mapping, the lack of null pointer validation causes the kernel to attempt operations on a null pointer reference, resulting in immediate system termination or unpredictable behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable denial of service attacks against systems running affected kernel versions. Attackers could exploit this condition by triggering the ata subsystem initialization process, particularly in embedded systems or devices that rely on PXA architecture for storage operations. The vulnerability affects systems where the pata_pxa driver is loaded or activated, including various embedded devices, industrial control systems, and legacy computing platforms that utilize ARM-based processors with PXA chipsets. Given that this occurs during driver probe initialization, the impact is immediate and occurs before normal system operation can proceed, making it particularly dangerous for embedded systems where kernel stability is paramount for device functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-37758 primarily focus on implementing proper null pointer validation within the pxa_ata_probe() function as recommended in the patch resolution. System administrators should prioritize kernel updates to versions that include the fix, which specifically adds a NULL check after devm_ioremap() calls to prevent the dereference condition. The fix follows established security practices by implementing defensive programming techniques that validate all return values from system calls and memory management functions. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where embedded systems are deployed. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the principle of least privilege in kernel module loading can help reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable kernel components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling in kernel space code and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation, though in this case the impact is primarily denial of service rather than privilege escalation.