VDB-321080 · CVE-2025-38657 · WID-SEC-2025-1898

Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0 wifi rtw89_core_mlsr_switch link_id out-of-bounds

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5.2	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function rtw89_core_mlsr_switch of the component wifi. Such manipulation of the argument link_id leads to out-of-bounds. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-38657. No exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function rtw89_core_mlsr_switch of the component wifi. The manipulation of the argument link_id with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. Impacted is confidentiality. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rtw89: mcc: prevent shift wrapping in rtw89_core_mlsr_switch() The "link_id" value comes from the user via debugfs. If it's larger than BITS_PER_LONG then that would result in shift wrapping and potentially an out of bounds access later. In fact, we can limit it to IEEE80211_MLD_MAX_NUM_LINKS (15). Fortunately, only root can write to debugfs files so the security impact is minimal.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38657 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.16.1 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 417cfa9cc44fbe6bceab786f9a4ee5a210f1288e/53cf488927a0f79968f9c03c4d1e00d2a79731c3 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 vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1898). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

Debian Linux
Google Cloud Platform
Amazon Linux 2
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Ubuntu Linux
SUSE Linux
Oracle Linux
NetApp AFF
NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
SUSE openSUSE
Dell Avamar
NetApp FAS
Open Source Linux Kernel
Dell NetWorker
Dell Secure Connect Gateway
Dell ECS

Productinfo

Type

Operating System

Vendor

Linux

Name

Kernel

Version

License

open-source

Website

Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.2

VulDB Base Score: 3.5
VulDB Temp Score: 3.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.1
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Out-of-bounds
CWE: CWE-125 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒