Linux Kernel up to 6.15.4/6.16-rc3 ras cxl_cper_handle_prot_err denial of service

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | $0-$5k | 1.51 |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.4/6.16-rc3. This affects the function cxl_cper_handle_prot_err of the component ras. The manipulation leads to denial of service.
This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-38252. No exploit is available.
It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.4/6.16-rc3. This issue affects the function cxl_cper_handle_prot_err of the component ras. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cxl/ras: Fix CPER handler device confusion By inspection, cxl_cper_handle_prot_err() is making a series of fragile assumptions that can lead to crashes: 1/ It assumes that endpoints identified in the record are a CXL-type-3 device, nothing guarantees that. 2/ It assumes that the device is bound to the cxl_pci driver, nothing guarantees that. 3/ Minor, it holds the device lock over the switch-port tracing for no reason as the trace is 100% generated from data in the record. Correct those by checking that the PCIe endpoint parents a cxl_memdev before assuming the format of the driver data, and move the lock to where it is required. Consequently this also makes the implementation ready for CXL accelerators that are not bound to cxl_pci.
The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38252 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.
Upgrading to version 6.15.5 or 6.16-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 4bcb8dd36e9e3fad6c22862ac5b6993df838309b/3c70ec71abdaf4e4fa48cd8fdfbbd864d78235a8 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 EUVD (EUVD-2025-20809) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1517). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Affected
- Debian Linux
- Google Cloud Platform
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux
- Ubuntu Linux
- SUSE Linux
- Oracle Linux
- IBM QRadar SIEM
- SUSE openSUSE
- NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
- Dell Avamar
- Open Source Linux Kernel
- Dell NetWorker
- Dell Secure Connect Gateway
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (Linux): 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Denial of serviceCWE: 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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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 6.15.5/6.16-rc4
Patch: 4bcb8dd36e9e3fad6c22862ac5b6993df838309b/3c70ec71abdaf4e4fa48cd8fdfbbd864d78235a8
Timeline
04/16/2025 🔍07/09/2025 🔍
07/09/2025 🔍
08/01/2026 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-38252 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38252
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-315785
EUVD: 🔍
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1517 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service
Entry
Created: 07/09/2025 14:03Updated: 08/01/2026 04:18
Changes: 07/09/2025 14:03 (59), 07/09/2025 14:44 (1), 08/23/2025 03:24 (7), 09/28/2025 11:01 (1), 11/02/2025 22:00 (1), 11/20/2025 00:41 (12), 01/30/2026 22:44 (1), 05/02/2026 16:05 (1), 08/01/2026 04:18 (13)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
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