CVE-2025-38089
Linux Kernel NULL pointer dereference
- Published30 Jun 2025
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sunrpc: handle SVC_GARBAGE during svc auth processing as auth error tianshuo han reported a remotely-triggerable crash if the client sends a kernel RPC server a specially crafted packet. If decoding the RPC reply fails in such a way that SVC_GARBAGE is returned without setting the rq_accept_statp pointer, then that pointer can be dereferenced and a value stored there. If it's the first time the thread has processed an RPC, then that pointer will be set to NULL and the kernel will crash. In other cases, it could create a memory scribble. The server sunrpc code treats a SVC_GARBAGE return from svc_authenticate or pg_authenticate as if it should send a GARBAGE_ARGS reply. RFC 5531 says that if authentication fails that the RPC should be rejected instead with a status of AUTH_ERR. Handle a SVC_GARBAGE return as an AUTH_ERROR, with a reason of AUTH_BADCRED instead of returning GARBAGE_ARGS in that case. This sidesteps the whole problem of touching the rpc_accept_statp pointer in this situation and avoids the crash.
CVSS 3.1 breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HAffected products
Remediation
- https://github.com/keymaker-arch/NFSundown
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/353e75b55e583635bf71cde6abcec274dba05edd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/599c489eea793821232a2f69a00fa57d82b0ac98
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/94d10a4dba0bc482f2b01e39f06d5513d0f75742
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c90459cd58bb421d275337093d8e901e0ba748dd
References
- https://github.com/keymaker-arch/NFSundown
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/353e75b55e583635bf71cde6abcec274dba05edd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/599c489eea793821232a2f69a00fa57d82b0ac98
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/94d10a4dba0bc482f2b01e39f06d5513d0f75742
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c90459cd58bb421d275337093d8e901e0ba748dd
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/07/02/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/07/02/2
Related CVEs
Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.
Frequently asked
Is CVE-2025-38089 being actively exploited?
CVE-2025-38089 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. A public exploit reference exists, so treat it as exploitable. Its EPSS exploit probability is 0.55%.
How severe is CVE-2025-38089?
CVE-2025-38089 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. EPSS estimates a 0.55% probability of exploitation.
Which products are affected by CVE-2025-38089?
Affected products include Linux Kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38089?
Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Linux Kernel 6.15.4 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.
How Secuno handles this
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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.