Linux Kernel up to 6.12.33/6.15.2 btrfs btrfs_convert_extent_bit null pointer dereference

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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.33/6.15.2. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this issue is the function btrfs_convert_extent_bit of the component btrfs. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38269. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.33/6.15.2. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function btrfs_convert_extent_bit of the component btrfs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: exit after state insertion failure at btrfs_convert_extent_bit() If insert_state() state failed it returns an error pointer and we call extent_io_tree_panic() which will trigger a BUG() call. However if CONFIG_BUG is disabled, which is an uncommon and exotic scenario, then we fallthrough and call cache_state() which will dereference the error pointer, resulting in an invalid memory access. So jump to the 'out' label after calling extent_io_tree_panic(), it also makes the code more clear besides dealing with the exotic scenario where CONFIG_BUG is disabled.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38269 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 243634 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38269), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.34, 6.15.3 or 6.16-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 58c50f45e1821a04d61b62514f9bd34afe67c622/8d9d32088e304e2bc444a3087cab0bbbd9951866/3bf179e36da917c5d9bec71c714573ed1649b7c1 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 (243634) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1522). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell Avamar
  • Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

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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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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: 243634
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38269

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.34/6.15.3/6.16-rc1
Patch: 58c50f45e1821a04d61b62514f9bd34afe67c622/8d9d32088e304e2bc444a3087cab0bbbd9951866/3bf179e36da917c5d9bec71c714573ed1649b7c1

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/10/2025 +85 days Advisory disclosed
07/10/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/07/2025 +150 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38269 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38269
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-315888
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1522 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 07/10/2025 09:59
Updated: 12/07/2025 20:29
Changes: 07/10/2025 09:59 (59), 08/06/2025 04:51 (2), 10/11/2025 00:26 (7), 11/02/2025 16:24 (1), 11/20/2025 17:52 (11), 12/07/2025 20:29 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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