Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2/6.16-rc1 e1000 e1000_reset_task deadlock

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2/6.16-rc1 and classified as critical. The impacted element is the function e1000_reset_task of the component e1000. This manipulation causes deadlock. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2025-38114. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2/6.16-rc1. Affected by this vulnerability is the function e1000_reset_task of the component e1000. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a deadlock vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-833. The product contains multiple threads or executable segments that are waiting for each other to release a necessary lock, resulting in deadlock. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: e1000: Move cancel_work_sync to avoid deadlock Previously, e1000_down called cancel_work_sync for the e1000 reset task (via e1000_down_and_stop), which takes RTNL. As reported by users and syzbot, a deadlock is possible in the following scenario: CPU 0: - RTNL is held - e1000_close - e1000_down - cancel_work_sync (cancel / wait for e1000_reset_task()) CPU 1: - process_one_work - e1000_reset_task - take RTNL To remedy this, avoid calling cancel_work_sync from e1000_down (e1000_reset_task does nothing if the device is down anyway). Instead, call cancel_work_sync for e1000_reset_task when the device is being removed.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-38114 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 246651 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38114), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.15.3 or 6.16-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 1fd4438ddcc4958ed24662d5125114299e19bae4/b4a8085ceefb7bbb12c2b71c55e71fc946c6929f 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 databases at Tenable (246651), EUVD (EUVD-2025-19829) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1452). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

• Google Container-Optimized OS
• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• IBM QRadar SIEM
• SUSE openSUSE
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell Avamar
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.15.0
• 6.15.1
• 6.15.2
• 6.16-rc1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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