Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc2 dell_rbu null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc2. This issue affects the function dell_rbu. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-38197. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc2. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function dell_rbu. 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: platform/x86: dell_rbu: Fix list usage Pass the correct list head to list_for_each_entry*() when looping through the packet list. Without this patch, reading the packet data via sysfs will show the data incorrectly (because it starts at the wrong packet), and clearing the packet list will result in a NULL pointer dereference.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38197 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 249177 (Debian dsa-5973 : affs-modules-6.1.0-37-4kc-malta-di - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.10.239, 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.95, 6.12.35, 6.15.4 or 6.16-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5e8c658acd1b7c186aeffa46bf08795e121f401a/07d7b8e7ef7d1f812a6211ed531947c56d09e95e/a7b477b64ef5e37cb08dd536ae07c46f9f28262e/f3b840fb1508a80cd8a0efb5c886ae1995a88b24/4d71f2c1e5263a9f042faa71d59515709869dc79/32d05e6cc3a7bf6c8f16f7b7ef8fe80eca0c233e/61ce04601e0d8265ec6d2ffa6df5a7e1bce64854 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 (249177), EUVD (EUVD-2025-20059) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1465). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • 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

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 249177
Nessus Name: Debian dsa-5973 : affs-modules-6.1.0-37-4kc-malta-di - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.239/5.15.186/6.1.142/6.6.95/6.12.35/6.15.4/6.16-rc3
Patch: 5e8c658acd1b7c186aeffa46bf08795e121f401a/07d7b8e7ef7d1f812a6211ed531947c56d09e95e/a7b477b64ef5e37cb08dd536ae07c46f9f28262e/f3b840fb1508a80cd8a0efb5c886ae1995a88b24/4d71f2c1e5263a9f042faa71d59515709869dc79/32d05e6cc3a7bf6c8f16f7b7ef8fe80eca0c233e/61ce04601e0d8265ec6d2ffa6df5a7e1bce64854

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/04/2025 +79 days Advisory disclosed
07/04/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/19/2025 +168 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38197 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38197
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-314945
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1465 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 07/04/2025 16:27
Updated: 12/19/2025 05:40
Changes: 07/04/2025 16:27 (58), 07/04/2025 20:37 (1), 07/20/2025 17:48 (7), 08/13/2025 22:05 (2), 08/25/2025 17:04 (1), 09/11/2025 05:53 (1), 09/21/2025 01:32 (1), 11/03/2025 00:43 (1), 12/13/2025 18:23 (1), 12/19/2025 05:40 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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