Linux Kernel up to 6.12.17/6.13.5 bnxt_re null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.17/6.13.5. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component bnxt_re. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2025-21901. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.17/6.13.5. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown functionality of the component bnxt_re. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: RDMA/bnxt_re: Add sanity checks on rdev validity There is a possibility that ulp_irq_stop and ulp_irq_start callbacks will be called when the device is in detached state. This can cause a crash due to NULL pointer dereference as the rdev is already freed.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-21901 since 12/29/2024. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

Upgrading to version 6.12.18 or 6.13.6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch aed1bc673907e3df372b317c10ff2f3582f8bf1a/8cb0eef46d70a99c88c26a1addb7fd955242e0e6/f0df225d12fcb049429fb5bf5122afe143c2dd15 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0683). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Google Container-Optimized OS
• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell Avamar
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• SolarWinds Security Event Manager
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway
• IBM Security Verify Access

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
• 6.12.8
• 6.12.9
• 6.12.10
• 6.12.11
• 6.12.12
• 6.12.13
• 6.12.14
• 6.12.15
• 6.12.16
• 6.12.17
• 6.13.0
• 6.13.1
• 6.13.2
• 6.13.3
• 6.13.4
• 6.13.5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Exploitinginfo

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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