Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 stack_top null pointer dereference

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5.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. This issue affects the function stack_top. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38696. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function stack_top. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: MIPS: Don't crash in stack_top() for tasks without ABI or vDSO Not all tasks have an ABI associated or vDSO mapped, for example kthreads never do. If such a task ever ends up calling stack_top(), it will derefence the NULL ABI pointer and crash. This can for example happen when using kunit: mips_stack_top+0x28/0xc0 arch_pick_mmap_layout+0x190/0x220 kunit_vm_mmap_init+0xf8/0x138 __kunit_add_resource+0x40/0xa8 kunit_vm_mmap+0x88/0xd8 usercopy_test_init+0xb8/0x240 kunit_try_run_case+0x5c/0x1a8 kunit_generic_run_threadfn_adapter+0x28/0x50 kthread+0x118/0x240 ret_from_kernel_thread+0x14/0x1c Only dereference the ABI point if it is set. The GIC page is also included as it is specific to the vDSO. Also move the randomization adjustment into the same conditional.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38696 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261550 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38696), 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 ab18e48a503230d675e824a0d68a108bdff42503/e78033e59444d257d095b73ce5d20625294f6ec2/bd90dbd196831f5c2620736dc221db2634cf1e8e/5b6839b572b503609b9b58bc6c04a816eefa0794/f22de2027b206ddfb8a075800bb5d0dacf2da4b8/82d140f6aab5e89a9d3972697a0dbe1498752d9b/24d098b6f69b0aa806ffcb3e18259bee31650b28/cddf47d20b0325dc8a4e57b833fe96e8f36c42a4/e9f4a6b3421e936c3ee9d74710243897d74dbaa2 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 (261550) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1976). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

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

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
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CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
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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

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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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: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 261550
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38696

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

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: ab18e48a503230d675e824a0d68a108bdff42503/e78033e59444d257d095b73ce5d20625294f6ec2/bd90dbd196831f5c2620736dc221db2634cf1e8e/5b6839b572b503609b9b58bc6c04a816eefa0794/f22de2027b206ddfb8a075800bb5d0dacf2da4b8/82d140f6aab5e89a9d3972697a0dbe1498752d9b/24d098b6f69b0aa806ffcb3e18259bee31650b28/cddf47d20b0325dc8a4e57b833fe96e8f36c42a4/e9f4a6b3421e936c3ee9d74710243897d74dbaa2

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
09/04/2025 +141 days Advisory disclosed
09/04/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/10/2026 +159 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38696 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38696
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322546
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/04/2025 18:28
Updated: 02/10/2026 06:39
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:28 (58), 09/05/2025 13:19 (7), 09/07/2025 23:45 (2), 10/08/2025 15:56 (1), 12/09/2025 16:10 (1), 01/09/2026 19:47 (10), 01/14/2026 23:32 (1), 02/10/2026 06:39 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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Discussion

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