Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4 usb __free null pointer dereference

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4.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.195/6.1.157/6.6.113/6.12.54/6.17.4. The affected element is the function __free of the component usb. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-40092. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.195/6.1.157/6.6.113/6.12.54/6.17.4 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function __free of the component usb. 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: usb: gadget: f_ncm: Refactor bind path to use __free() After an bind/unbind cycle, the ncm->notify_req is left stale. If a subsequent bind fails, the unified error label attempts to free this stale request, leading to a NULL pointer dereference when accessing ep->ops->free_request. Refactor the error handling in the bind path to use the __free() automatic cleanup mechanism. Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000020 Call trace: usb_ep_free_request+0x2c/0xec ncm_bind+0x39c/0x3dc usb_add_function+0xcc/0x1f0 configfs_composite_bind+0x468/0x588 gadget_bind_driver+0x104/0x270 really_probe+0x190/0x374 __driver_probe_device+0xa0/0x12c driver_probe_device+0x3c/0x218 __device_attach_driver+0x14c/0x188 bus_for_each_drv+0x10c/0x168 __device_attach+0xfc/0x198 device_initial_probe+0x14/0x24 bus_probe_device+0x94/0x11c device_add+0x268/0x48c usb_add_gadget+0x198/0x28c dwc3_gadget_init+0x700/0x858 __dwc3_set_mode+0x3cc/0x664 process_scheduled_works+0x1d8/0x488 worker_thread+0x244/0x334 kthread+0x114/0x1bc ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-40092 since 04/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 272048 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40092), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.15.196, 6.1.158, 6.6.114, 6.12.55, 6.17.5 or 6.18-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 185193a4714aa9c78437a7a1858fbe5771f0f45c/f37de8dec6a4c379b4b8486003a1de00ff8cff3b/1cde4516295a030cb8ab4c93114ca3b6c3c6a1e2/d3fe7143928d8dfa2ec7bac9f906b48bc75b98ee/ed78f4d6079d872432b1ed54f155ef61965d3137/75a5b8d4ddd4eb6b16cb0b475d14ff4ae64295ef 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 (272048) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2450). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

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Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.6

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

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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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: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 272048
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40092

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.15.196/6.1.158/6.6.114/6.12.55/6.17.5/6.18-rc1
Patch: 185193a4714aa9c78437a7a1858fbe5771f0f45c/f37de8dec6a4c379b4b8486003a1de00ff8cff3b/1cde4516295a030cb8ab4c93114ca3b6c3c6a1e2/d3fe7143928d8dfa2ec7bac9f906b48bc75b98ee/ed78f4d6079d872432b1ed54f155ef61965d3137/75a5b8d4ddd4eb6b16cb0b475d14ff4ae64295ef

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
10/30/2025 +197 days Advisory disclosed
10/30/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/15/2026 +108 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40092 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40092
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-330556
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2450 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/30/2025 14:10
Updated: 02/15/2026 23:08
Changes: 10/30/2025 14:10 (59), 10/30/2025 16:20 (7), 11/01/2025 13:40 (2), 12/21/2025 22:58 (1), 02/15/2026 23:08 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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