Linux Kernel up to 6.15.9/6.16.0 drm_crtc_init_with_planes null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.9/6.16.0. The impacted element is the function drm_crtc_init_with_planes. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38597. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.9/6.16.0. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function drm_crtc_init_with_planes. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/rockchip: vop2: fail cleanly if missing a primary plane for a video-port Each window of a vop2 is usable by a specific set of video ports, so while binding the vop2, we look through the list of available windows trying to find one designated as primary-plane and usable by that specific port. The code later wants to use drm_crtc_init_with_planes with that found primary plane, but nothing has checked so far if a primary plane was actually found. For whatever reason, the rk3576 vp2 does not have a usable primary window (if vp0 is also in use) which brought the issue to light and ended in a null-pointer dereference further down. As we expect a primary-plane to exist for a video-port, add a check at the end of the window-iteration and fail probing if none was found.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38597 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 260120 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38597), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.15.10, 6.16.1 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e1eef239399927b368f70a716044fb10085627c8/38682edbbad272b5f8c7bf55128b42cd10626f73/f9f68bf1d0efeadb6c427c9dbb30f307a7def19b 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 (260120) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1869). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway
  • IBM QRadar SIEM

Productinfo

Type

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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

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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: 260120
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38597

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.15.10/6.16.1/6.17-rc1
Patch: e1eef239399927b368f70a716044fb10085627c8/38682edbbad272b5f8c7bf55128b42cd10626f73/f9f68bf1d0efeadb6c427c9dbb30f307a7def19b

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
08/19/2025 +125 days Advisory disclosed
08/19/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/15/2025 +118 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38597 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38597
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-320624
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1869 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 08/19/2025 19:31
Updated: 12/15/2025 23:12
Changes: 08/19/2025 19:31 (58), 09/01/2025 16:34 (2), 09/25/2025 04:46 (7), 10/27/2025 01:43 (1), 11/01/2025 14:12 (1), 11/26/2025 20:19 (11), 12/15/2025 23:12 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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