Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4/6.18-rc1 ALSA cs35l41_get_acpi_mute_state Return null pointer dereference

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4/6.18-rc1. It has been declared as critical. Affected is the function cs35l41_get_acpi_mute_state of the component ALSA. Such manipulation of the argument Return leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-40098. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4/6.18-rc1. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function cs35l41_get_acpi_mute_state of the component ALSA. The manipulation of the argument Return 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: ALSA: hda: cs35l41: Fix NULL pointer dereference in cs35l41_get_acpi_mute_state() Return value of a function acpi_evaluate_dsm() is dereferenced without checking for NULL, but it is usually checked for this function. acpi_evaluate_dsm() may return NULL, when acpi_evaluate_object() returns acpi_status other than ACPI_SUCCESS, so add a check to prevent the crach. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-40098 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 272064 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40098), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.17.5 or 6.18-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b518386db2b993d786c431caa9f46ce063c5cb05/8527bbb33936340525a3504a00932b2f8fd75754 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 (272064) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2450). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

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: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 272064
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40098

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.5/6.18-rc2
Patch: b518386db2b993d786c431caa9f46ce063c5cb05/8527bbb33936340525a3504a00932b2f8fd75754

Timelineinfo

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

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40098 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40098
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-330560
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2450 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/30/2025 14:21
Updated: 02/16/2026 00:06
Changes: 10/30/2025 14:21 (60), 10/31/2025 06:13 (7), 10/31/2025 08:45 (2), 12/21/2025 23:48 (1), 02/16/2026 00:06 (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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