Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1 snd_soc_remove_pcm_runtime null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
5.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. This issue affects the function snd_soc_remove_pcm_runtime. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2025-38706. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.16.1. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function snd_soc_remove_pcm_runtime. 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: ASoC: core: Check for rtd == NULL in snd_soc_remove_pcm_runtime() snd_soc_remove_pcm_runtime() might be called with rtd == NULL which will leads to null pointer dereference. This was reproduced with topology loading and marking a link as ignore due to missing hardware component on the system. On module removal the soc_tplg_remove_link() would call snd_soc_remove_pcm_runtime() with rtd == NULL since the link was ignored, no runtime was created.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38706 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261585 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38706), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 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 8b465bedc2b417fd27c1d1ab7122882b4b60b1a0/82ba7b8cf9f6e3bf392a9f08ba3d1c0b200ccb94/7f8fc03712194fd4e2df28af7f7f7a38205934ef/41f53afe53a57a7c50323f99424b598190acf192/2fce20decc6a83f16dd73744150c4e7ea6c97c21/cecc65827ef3df9754e097582d89569139e6cd1e/7ce0a7255ce97ed7c54afae83fdbce712a1f0c9e/2d91cb261cac6d885954b8f5da28b5c176c18131 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 (261585) 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

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.0

VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

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-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 261585
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38706

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 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: 8b465bedc2b417fd27c1d1ab7122882b4b60b1a0/82ba7b8cf9f6e3bf392a9f08ba3d1c0b200ccb94/7f8fc03712194fd4e2df28af7f7f7a38205934ef/41f53afe53a57a7c50323f99424b598190acf192/2fce20decc6a83f16dd73744150c4e7ea6c97c21/cecc65827ef3df9754e097582d89569139e6cd1e/7ce0a7255ce97ed7c54afae83fdbce712a1f0c9e/2d91cb261cac6d885954b8f5da28b5c176c18131

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-2025-38706 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38706
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322568
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/04/2025 18:31
Updated: 02/10/2026 07:02
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:31 (58), 09/05/2025 18:23 (7), 09/07/2025 21:27 (2), 10/08/2025 17:55 (1), 12/09/2025 18:13 (1), 01/15/2026 00:47 (1), 01/24/2026 10:32 (11), 02/10/2026 07:02 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Interested in the pricing of exploits?

See the underground prices here!