Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc4 mtk-sd msdc_prepare_data memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc4 and classified as critical. Affected is the function msdc_prepare_data of the component mtk-sd. This manipulation causes memory corruption. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2025-38401. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16-rc4. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function msdc_prepare_data of the component mtk-sd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mtk-sd: Prevent memory corruption from DMA map failure If msdc_prepare_data() fails to map the DMA region, the request is not prepared for data receiving, but msdc_start_data() proceeds the DMA with previous setting. Since this will lead a memory corruption, we have to stop the request operation soon after the msdc_prepare_data() fails to prepare it.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-38401 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/03/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265984 (Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS : Linux kernel (Azure FIPS) vulnerabilities (USN-7775-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.296, 5.10.240, 5.15.187, 6.1.144, 6.6.97, 6.12.37, 6.15.6 or 6.16-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5ac9e9e2e9cd6247d8c2d99780eae4556049e1cc/d54771571f74a82c59830a32e76af78a8e57ac69/48bf4f3dfcdab02b22581d8e350a2d23130b72c0/63e8953f16acdcb23e2d4dd8a566d3c34df3e200/61cdd663564674ea21ceb50aa9d3697cbe9e45f9/3419bc6a7b65cbbb91417bb9970208478e034c79/a5f5f67b284d81776d4a3eb1f8607e4b7f91f11c/f5de469990f19569627ea0dd56536ff5a13beaa3 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 (265984) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1653). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for 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: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 265984
Nessus Name: Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS : Linux kernel (Azure FIPS) vulnerabilities (USN-7775-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.296/5.10.240/5.15.187/6.1.144/6.6.97/6.12.37/6.15.6/6.16-rc5
Patch: 5ac9e9e2e9cd6247d8c2d99780eae4556049e1cc/d54771571f74a82c59830a32e76af78a8e57ac69/48bf4f3dfcdab02b22581d8e350a2d23130b72c0/63e8953f16acdcb23e2d4dd8a566d3c34df3e200/61cdd663564674ea21ceb50aa9d3697cbe9e45f9/3419bc6a7b65cbbb91417bb9970208478e034c79/a5f5f67b284d81776d4a3eb1f8607e4b7f91f11c/f5de469990f19569627ea0dd56536ff5a13beaa3

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/25/2025 +100 days Advisory disclosed
07/25/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/03/2026 +162 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38401 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38401
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-317635
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1653 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 07/25/2025 15:37
Updated: 01/03/2026 19:53
Changes: 07/25/2025 15:37 (59), 08/20/2025 12:37 (7), 09/14/2025 18:38 (1), 09/16/2025 00:13 (1), 09/27/2025 03:29 (2), 09/28/2025 22:02 (1), 11/02/2025 10:14 (1), 11/17/2025 01:38 (1), 12/24/2025 06:17 (12), 01/03/2026 19:53 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Interested in the pricing of exploits?

See the underground prices here!