VDB-321096 · CVE-2025-38641 · WID-SEC-2025-1898

Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0 Bluetooth null pointer dereference

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5.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0. It has been declared as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Bluetooth. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-38641. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.0. Affected is some unknown processing of the component Bluetooth. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: btusb: Fix potential NULL dereference on kmalloc failure Avoid potential NULL pointer dereference by checking the return value of kmalloc and handling allocation failure properly.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38641 since 04/16/2025. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

Upgrading to version 6.16.1 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5029d80bfc30b60ff57c70ccb04e027acb404f6a/b505902c66a282dcb01bcdc015aa1fdfaaa075db 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: 5.6
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: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.16.1/6.17-rc1
Patch: 5029d80bfc30b60ff57c70ccb04e027acb404f6a/b505902c66a282dcb01bcdc015aa1fdfaaa075db

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
08/22/2025 +128 days Advisory disclosed
08/22/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/28/2026 +279 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38641 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38641
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-321096
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1898 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service und Privilegieneskalation

Entryinfo

Created: 08/22/2025 23:34
Updated: 05/28/2026 22:02
Changes: 08/22/2025 23:34 (58), 09/22/2025 01:38 (7), 09/24/2025 03:21 (1), 10/18/2025 01:45 (1), 10/26/2025 08:45 (1), 11/26/2025 17:59 (11), 12/13/2025 06:28 (1), 02/13/2026 21:16 (1), 05/28/2026 22:02 (3)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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