CVE-2025-38290 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: ath12k: fix node corruption in ar->arvifs list
In current WLAN recovery code flow, ath12k_core_halt() only reinitializes the "arvifs" list head. This will cause the list node immediately following the list head to become an invalid list node. Because the prev of that node still points to the list head "arvifs", but the next of the list head "arvifs" no longer points to that list node.
When a WLAN recovery occurs during the execution of a vif removal, and it happens before the spin_lock_bh(&ar->data_lock) in ath12k_mac_vdev_delete(), list_del() will detect the previously mentioned situation, thereby triggering a kernel panic.
The fix is to remove and reinitialize all vif list nodes from the list head "arvifs" during WLAN halt. The reinitialization is to make the list nodes valid, ensuring that the list_del() in ath12k_mac_vdev_delete() can execute normally.
Call trace: __list_del_entry_valid_or_report+0xd4/0x100 (P) ath12k_mac_remove_link_interface.isra.0+0xf8/0x2e4 [ath12k]
ath12k_scan_vdev_clean_work+0x40/0x164 [ath12k]
cfg80211_wiphy_work+0xfc/0x100 process_one_work+0x164/0x2d0 worker_thread+0x254/0x380 kthread+0xfc/0x100 ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20
The change is mostly copied from the ath11k patch: https://lore.kernel.org/all/[email protected]/
Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.4.1-00199-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-38290 affects the linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically within the ath12k driver implementation for Qualcomm's wireless networking hardware. This issue represents a critical list corruption problem that can lead to system crashes and potential denial of service conditions. The flaw occurs during wireless local area network recovery operations when the driver attempts to reset and reinitialize virtual interface structures. The vulnerability stems from an incomplete cleanup of the arvifs list structure during the ath12k_core_halt() function execution, which leaves the list in an inconsistent state that violates fundamental data structure integrity principles.
The technical flaw manifests when wlan recovery code paths execute during active vif removal operations. During normal operation, the ath12k driver maintains a linked list structure through the arvifs list head to track virtual interfaces. However, when ath12k_core_halt() executes, it only reinitializes the list head itself while leaving the nodes that follow it in an invalid state. This creates a scenario where the previous pointer of a node still references the old list head, but the next pointer of that head no longer points to the node, violating the doubly-linked list invariant that requires both pointers to form a valid connection. This inconsistency triggers kernel panic conditions when subsequent list operations attempt to validate list integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for wireless networking systems using the ath12k driver, particularly those operating in environments where wlan recovery events are common. The vulnerability can cause system crashes during normal operation when recovery events occur during vif removal procedures, leading to complete system instability. The call trace demonstrates the execution path leading to the kernel panic, showing the sequence from the wireless recovery worker thread through the cfg80211 framework down to the specific function that detects the invalid list state during list deletion operations. This vulnerability affects systems using Qualcomm's QCN9274 hardware and similar platforms that rely on the ath12k driver implementation. The issue is classified under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow condition, specifically related to improper handling of linked list structures, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490 for denial of service through system resource manipulation.
The fix implements a comprehensive approach to list node cleanup by removing and reinitializing all vif list nodes from the arvifs list head during wlan halt operations. This approach ensures that all list nodes are properly reset to valid states before the recovery process completes, preventing the scenario where list integrity validation would fail during subsequent operations. The solution follows the established pattern from the ath11k driver patch, demonstrating the importance of consistent driver implementation patterns across similar hardware families. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that the list structure remains valid throughout the entire recovery lifecycle, preventing the kernel panic that would otherwise occur when list_del() attempts to process corrupted list nodes. This remediation approach aligns with best practices for kernel memory management and list structure integrity, preventing similar issues in related driver components and ensuring proper resource cleanup during error recovery scenarios.