Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0 iwlwifi alloc_ordered_workqueue return value

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.101/6.12.41/6.15.9/6.16.0. It has been declared as problematic. The affected element is the function alloc_ordered_workqueue of the component iwlwifi. The manipulation results in return value. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2025-38602. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.101/6.12.41/6.15.9/6.16.0. Affected is the function alloc_ordered_workqueue of the component iwlwifi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a return value vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-252. The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iwlwifi: Add missing check for alloc_ordered_workqueue Add check for the return value of alloc_ordered_workqueue since it may return NULL pointer.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38602 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/08/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 260123 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38602), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 6663c52608d8d8727bf1911e6d9218069ba1c85e/ca980f1911a7144d451d1c31298ab8507c6bd88f/7dd6350307af6521b6240b295c93b7eec4daebe6/c0e43c3f6c0a79381b468574c241065998412b7c/70a1b527eaea9430b1bd87de59f3b9f6bd225701/90a0d9f339960448a3acc1437a46730f975efd6a 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 (260123), EUVD (EUVD-2025-26093) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1869). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
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: Return value
CWE: CWE-252 / CWE-253
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: 260123
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38602

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.148/6.6.102/6.12.42/6.15.10/6.16.1/6.17-rc1
Patch: 6663c52608d8d8727bf1911e6d9218069ba1c85e/ca980f1911a7144d451d1c31298ab8507c6bd88f/7dd6350307af6521b6240b295c93b7eec4daebe6/c0e43c3f6c0a79381b468574c241065998412b7c/70a1b527eaea9430b1bd87de59f3b9f6bd225701/90a0d9f339960448a3acc1437a46730f975efd6a

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
08/19/2025 +125 days Advisory disclosed
08/19/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/08/2026 +142 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38602 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38602
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-320634
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1869 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 08/19/2025 19:34
Updated: 01/08/2026 16:30
Changes: 08/19/2025 19:34 (58), 09/01/2025 16:25 (2), 09/25/2025 04:46 (7), 10/27/2025 02:02 (1), 11/01/2025 14:12 (1), 12/16/2025 07:28 (1), 01/08/2026 01:02 (11), 01/08/2026 16:30 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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