Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3/6.16-rc2 icl_update_topdown_event denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3/6.16-rc2. Affected by this vulnerability is the function icl_update_topdown_event. The manipulation leads to denial of service. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2025-38322. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3/6.16-rc2. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function icl_update_topdown_event. 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: perf/x86/intel: Fix crash in icl_update_topdown_event() The perf_fuzzer found a hard-lockup crash on a RaptorLake machine: Oops: general protection fault, maybe for address 0xffff89aeceab400: 0000 CPU: 23 UID: 0 PID: 0 Comm: swapper/23 Tainted: [W]=WARN Hardware name: Dell Inc. Precision 9660/0VJ762 RIP: 0010:native_read_pmc+0x7/0x40 Code: cc e8 8d a9 01 00 48 89 03 5b cd cc cc cc cc 0f 1f ... RSP: 000:fffb03100273de8 EFLAGS: 00010046 .... Call Trace: <TASK> icl_update_topdown_event+0x165/0x190 ? ktime_get+0x38/0xd0 intel_pmu_read_event+0xf9/0x210 __perf_event_read+0xf9/0x210 CPUs 16-23 are E-core CPUs that don't support the perf metrics feature. The icl_update_topdown_event() should not be invoked on these CPUs. It's a regression of commit: f9bdf1f95339 ("perf/x86/intel: Avoid disable PMU if !cpuc->enabled in sample read") The bug introduced by that commit is that the is_topdown_event() function is mistakenly used to replace the is_topdown_count() call to check if the topdown functions for the perf metrics feature should be invoked. Fix it.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-38322 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265709 (Debian dsa-6009 : 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 6.15.4 or 6.16-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch a85cc69acdcb05f8cd226b8ea0778b8e2e887e6f/b0823d5fbacb1c551d793cbfe7af24e0d1fa45ed 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 (265709), EUVD (EUVD-2025-20924) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1522). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best 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
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell Avamar
  • Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.0

VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
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: Denial of service
CWE: 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: 265709
Nessus Name: Debian dsa-6009 : 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 6.15.4/6.16-rc3
Patch: a85cc69acdcb05f8cd226b8ea0778b8e2e887e6f/b0823d5fbacb1c551d793cbfe7af24e0d1fa45ed

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/10/2025 +85 days Advisory disclosed
07/10/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/19/2025 +162 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38322 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38322
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-315953
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1522 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen erm&ouml;glichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 07/10/2025 11:33
Updated: 12/19/2025 18:43
Changes: 07/10/2025 11:33 (58), 08/01/2025 13:23 (1), 08/09/2025 17:34 (1), 09/24/2025 08:20 (2), 10/11/2025 21:02 (7), 11/02/2025 19:43 (1), 12/08/2025 00:33 (1), 12/19/2025 18:43 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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