Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.100/6.12.40/6.15.8 i2c 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 labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.100/6.12.40/6.15.8. This affects an unknown part of the component i2c. The manipulation results in return value. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2025-38671. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.147/6.6.100/6.12.40/6.15.8. Affected is an unknown part of the component i2c. 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: i2c: qup: jump out of the loop in case of timeout Original logic only sets the return value but doesn't jump out of the loop if the bus is kept active by a client. This is not expected. A malicious or buggy i2c client can hang the kernel in this case and should be avoided. This is observed during a long time test with a PCA953x GPIO extender. Fix it by changing the logic to not only sets the return value, but also jumps out of the loop and return to the caller with -ETIMEDOUT.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38671 since 04/16/2025. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/14/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 270144 (Oracle Linux 7 / 8 : Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2025-20663)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.148, 6.6.101, 6.12.41 or 6.15.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch c523bfba46c4b4d7676fb050909533a766698ecd/0d33913fce67a93c1eb83396c3c9d6b411dcab33/42c4471b30fa203249f476dd42321cd7efb7f6a8/89459f168b78e5c801dc8b7ad037b62898bc4f57/a7982a14b3012527a9583d12525cd0dc9f8d8934 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 (270144) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1898). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • 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

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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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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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: 270144
Nessus Name: Oracle Linux 7 / 8 : Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2025-20663)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.148/6.6.101/6.12.41/6.15.9
Patch: c523bfba46c4b4d7676fb050909533a766698ecd/0d33913fce67a93c1eb83396c3c9d6b411dcab33/42c4471b30fa203249f476dd42321cd7efb7f6a8/89459f168b78e5c801dc8b7ad037b62898bc4f57/a7982a14b3012527a9583d12525cd0dc9f8d8934

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
08/22/2025 +128 days Advisory disclosed
08/22/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/14/2026 +176 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38671 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38671
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-321114
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1898 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 08/22/2025 23:38
Updated: 02/14/2026 16:44
Changes: 08/22/2025 23:38 (58), 09/22/2025 06:23 (7), 10/14/2025 04:16 (2), 10/18/2025 06:58 (1), 10/26/2025 12:28 (1), 12/13/2025 14:16 (1), 01/09/2026 06:48 (11), 02/14/2026 16:44 (2)
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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