Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2 wifi mt7996_set_monitor null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2 and classified as critical. This affects the function mt7996_set_monitor of the component wifi. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability appears as CVE-2025-38316. There is no available exploit.
It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.2. This vulnerability affects the function mt7996_set_monitor of the component wifi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mt76: mt7996: avoid NULL pointer dereference in mt7996_set_monitor() The function mt7996_set_monitor() dereferences phy before the NULL sanity check. Fix this to avoid NULL pointer dereference by moving the dereference after the check.
The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38316 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265934 (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 25.04 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-7769-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 6.15.3 or 6.16-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 83a422c8169eef95aef57f7ddc467bb126d9ae81/cb423ddad0f6e6f55b1700422ab777b25597cc83 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 (265934) 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
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: 5.6VulDB 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: 🔒
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: 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: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Nessus ID: 265934
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 25.04 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-7769-1)
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.15.3/6.16-rc1
Patch: 83a422c8169eef95aef57f7ddc467bb126d9ae81/cb423ddad0f6e6f55b1700422ab777b25597cc83
Timeline
04/16/2025 CVE reserved07/10/2025 Advisory disclosed
07/10/2025 VulDB entry created
12/07/2025 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-38316 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38316
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-315928
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1522 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service
Entry
Created: 07/10/2025 10:18Updated: 12/07/2025 23:26
Changes: 07/10/2025 10:18 (59), 09/28/2025 07:31 (2), 10/11/2025 18:28 (7), 11/02/2025 19:43 (1), 11/18/2025 18:11 (11), 12/07/2025 23:26 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
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