Linux Kernel up to 6.17-rc1 phy_polling_mode null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17-rc1. Affected by this issue is the function phy_polling_mode. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-38725. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17-rc1. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function phy_polling_mode. 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: net: usb: asix_devices: add phy_mask for ax88772 mdio bus Without setting phy_mask for ax88772 mdio bus, current driver may create at most 32 mdio phy devices with phy address range from 0x00 ~ 0x1f. DLink DUB-E100 H/W Ver B1 is such a device. However, only one main phy device will bind to net phy driver. This is creating issue during system suspend/resume since phy_polling_mode() in phy_state_machine() will directly deference member of phydev->drv for non-main phy devices. Then NULL pointer dereference issue will occur. Due to only external phy or internal phy is necessary, add phy_mask for ax88772 mdio bus to workarnoud the issue.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-38725 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 261557 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38725), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2 or 6.17-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 75947d3200de98a9ded9ad8972e02f1a177097fe/59ed6fbdb1bc03316e09493ffde7066f031c7524/ccef5ee4adf56472aa26bdd1f821a6d0cd06089a/ee2cd40b0bb46056949a2319084a729d95389386/a754ab53993b1585132e871c5d811167ad3c52ff/ad1f8313aeec0115f9978bd2d002ef4a8d96c773/4faff70959d51078f9ee8372f8cff0d7045e4114 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 (261557) 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: 5.6
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

AVACAuCIA
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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: 261557
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-38725

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.15.190/6.1.149/6.6.103/6.12.43/6.15.11/6.16.2/6.17-rc2
Patch: 75947d3200de98a9ded9ad8972e02f1a177097fe/59ed6fbdb1bc03316e09493ffde7066f031c7524/ccef5ee4adf56472aa26bdd1f821a6d0cd06089a/ee2cd40b0bb46056949a2319084a729d95389386/a754ab53993b1585132e871c5d811167ad3c52ff/ad1f8313aeec0115f9978bd2d002ef4a8d96c773/4faff70959d51078f9ee8372f8cff0d7045e4114

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-2025-38725 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38725
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-322576
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1976 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/04/2025 18:33
Updated: 02/10/2026 08:49
Changes: 09/04/2025 18:33 (58), 09/05/2025 20:45 (7), 09/07/2025 22:45 (2), 10/08/2025 20:23 (1), 12/10/2025 01:38 (1), 01/09/2026 06:57 (10), 01/15/2026 03:13 (1), 02/10/2026 08:49 (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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