Linux Kernel up to 6.17.2 usb kthread_run null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.88

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.2. This issue affects the function kthread_run of the component usb. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-40116. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.2 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function kthread_run 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. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: host: max3421-hcd: Fix error pointer dereference in probe cleanup The kthread_run() function returns error pointers so the max3421_hcd->spi_thread pointer can be either error pointers or NULL. Check for both before dereferencing it.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-40116 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 276782 (Debian dla-4379 : linux-config-6.1 - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.301, 5.10.246, 5.15.195, 6.1.156, 6.6.112, 6.12.53, 6.17.3 or 6.18-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 89838fe5c6c010ff8d3924f22afd9c18c5c95310/3facf69a735e730ae36387f18780fe420708aa91/e0e0ce06f3571be9b26790e4df56ba37b1de8543/3723c3dda1cc82c9bbca08fcbd46705a361bfd56/b0439e3762ac9ea580f714e1504a1827d1ad32f5/e68ea6de1d0551f90d7a2c75f82cb3ebe5e397dc/b682ce44bf20ada752a2f6ce70d5a575c56f6a35/186e8f2bdba551f3ae23396caccd452d985c23e3 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 (276782) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2579). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

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

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

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: 276782
Nessus Name: Debian dla-4379 : linux-config-6.1 - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.301/5.10.246/5.15.195/6.1.156/6.6.112/6.12.53/6.17.3/6.18-rc1
Patch: 89838fe5c6c010ff8d3924f22afd9c18c5c95310/3facf69a735e730ae36387f18780fe420708aa91/e0e0ce06f3571be9b26790e4df56ba37b1de8543/3723c3dda1cc82c9bbca08fcbd46705a361bfd56/b0439e3762ac9ea580f714e1504a1827d1ad32f5/e68ea6de1d0551f90d7a2c75f82cb3ebe5e397dc/b682ce44bf20ada752a2f6ce70d5a575c56f6a35/186e8f2bdba551f3ae23396caccd452d985c23e3

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
11/12/2025 +210 days Advisory disclosed
11/12/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/17/2026 +217 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40116 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40116
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-332149
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2579 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 11/12/2025 13:32
Updated: 06/17/2026 12:11
Changes: 11/12/2025 13:32 (59), 11/13/2025 09:51 (7), 11/25/2025 09:58 (1), 11/28/2025 21:00 (2), 12/17/2025 14:47 (1), 12/30/2025 13:38 (1), 02/07/2026 21:49 (1), 06/17/2026 12:11 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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