Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 media az6027_i2c_xfer null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. This affects the function az6027_i2c_xfer of the component media. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38693. There is no exploit available.
Upgrading the affected component is recommended.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. Affected by this issue is the function az6027_i2c_xfer of the component media. 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: media: dvb-frontends: w7090p: fix null-ptr-deref in w7090p_tuner_write_serpar and w7090p_tuner_read_serpar In w7090p_tuner_write_serpar, msg is controlled by user. When msg[0].buf is null and msg[0].len is zero, former checks on msg[0].buf would be passed. If accessing msg[0].buf[2] without sanity check, null pointer deref would happen. We add check on msg[0].len to prevent crash. Similar commit: commit 0ed554fd769a ("media: dvb-usb: az6027: fix null-ptr-deref in az6027_i2c_xfer()")
The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38693 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261570 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38693), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2 or 6.17-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 7a41ecfc3415ebe3b4c44f96b3337691dcf431a3/b3d77a3fc71c084575d3df4ec6544b3fb6ce587d/17b30e5ded062bd74f8ca6f317e1d415a8680665/454a443eaa792c8865c861a282fe6d4f596abc3a/6bbaec6a036940e22318f0454b50b8000845ab59/f98132a59ccc59a8b97987363bc99c8968934756/99690a494d91a0dc86cebd628da4c62c40552bcb/39b06b93f24dff923c4183d564ed28c039150554/ed0234c8458b3149f15e496b48a1c9874dd24a1b 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 (261570), EUVD (EUVD-2025-26776) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1976). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Affected
- Debian Linux
- Amazon Linux 2
- Open Source Linux Kernel
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux
- Ubuntu Linux
- SUSE Linux
- Oracle Linux
- SUSE openSUSE
- RESF Rocky Linux
- Microsoft Azure
- Dell Secure Connect Gateway
- IBM QRadar SIEM
- IBM Security Verify Access
- Dell NetWorker
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 5.4.296
- 5.10.240
- 5.15.189
- 6.1.148
- 6.6.102
- 6.12.0
- 6.12.1
- 6.12.2
- 6.12.3
- 6.12.4
- 6.12.5
- 6.12.6
- 6.12.7
- 6.12.8
- 6.12.9
- 6.12.10
- 6.12.11
- 6.12.12
- 6.12.13
- 6.12.14
- 6.12.15
- 6.12.16
- 6.12.17
- 6.12.18
- 6.12.19
- 6.12.20
- 6.12.21
- 6.12.22
- 6.12.23
- 6.12.24
- 6.12.25
- 6.12.26
- 6.12.27
- 6.12.28
- 6.12.29
- 6.12.30
- 6.12.31
- 6.12.32
- 6.12.33
- 6.12.34
- 6.12.35
- 6.12.36
- 6.12.37
- 6.12.38
- 6.12.39
- 6.12.40
- 6.12.41
- 6.12.42
- 6.15.0
- 6.15.1
- 6.15.2
- 6.15.3
- 6.15.4
- 6.15.5
- 6.15.6
- 6.15.7
- 6.15.8
- 6.15.9
- 6.15.10
- 6.16.0
- 6.16.1
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6VulDB 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: 🔒
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: 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: 261570
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38693
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.297/5.10.241/5.15.190/6.1.149/6.6.103/6.12.43/6.15.11/6.16.2/6.17-rc1
Patch: 7a41ecfc3415ebe3b4c44f96b3337691dcf431a3/b3d77a3fc71c084575d3df4ec6544b3fb6ce587d/17b30e5ded062bd74f8ca6f317e1d415a8680665/454a443eaa792c8865c861a282fe6d4f596abc3a/6bbaec6a036940e22318f0454b50b8000845ab59/f98132a59ccc59a8b97987363bc99c8968934756/99690a494d91a0dc86cebd628da4c62c40552bcb/39b06b93f24dff923c4183d564ed28c039150554/ed0234c8458b3149f15e496b48a1c9874dd24a1b
Timeline
04/16/2025 CVE reserved09/04/2025 Advisory disclosed
09/04/2025 VulDB entry created
02/10/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-38693 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38693
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322544
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service
Entry
Created: 09/04/2025 18:28Updated: 02/10/2026 06:39
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:28 (59), 09/05/2025 12:27 (7), 09/07/2025 21:37 (2), 10/08/2025 15:42 (1), 12/02/2025 08:20 (1), 01/09/2026 21:03 (10), 01/10/2026 09:33 (1), 01/14/2026 22:26 (1), 02/10/2026 06:39 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
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