CVE-2025-22028 – A race condition vulnerability in the Linux ker... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-22028?

CVE-2025-22028 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vimc media driver allows improper handling of stream termination operations. This can trigger a kernel warning and potential denial of service. Systems using the vimc virtual media controller driver are affected.

📋 TL;DR

A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vimc media driver allows improper handling of stream termination operations. This can trigger a kernel warning and potential denial of service. Systems using the vimc virtual media controller driver are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Kernel versions containing the vulnerable vimc driver code prior to fixes

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only affects systems where vimc driver is loaded/used. vimc is a test driver not typically enabled in production kernels.

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

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Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic or system crash leading to denial of service, potentially requiring system reboot.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel warning logged to dmesg with possible temporary disruption to media capture functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact with proper error handling preventing system instability.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - vimc is a test driver typically not exposed to external interfaces.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Systems using vimc for media testing or development could experience service disruption.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to trigger vimc stream operations. Found via syzkaller fuzzing.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions with commit 36cef585e2a31e4ddf33a004b0584a7a572246de or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36cef585e2a31e4ddf33a004b0584a7a572246de

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify vimc driver is not needed for production use.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vimc module

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable vimc driver module

echo 'blacklist vimc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-vimc.conf
rmmod vimc

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Ensure vimc driver is not loaded in production systems
Restrict access to media device interfaces to trusted users only

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if vimc module is loaded: lsmod | grep vimc. Check kernel version against patched versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commit: grep -q '36cef585e2a31e4ddf33a004b0584a7a572246de' /proc/version

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

WARNING messages in dmesg about call_s_stream in vimc_streamer_pipeline_terminate

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND "WARNING.*call_s_stream.*vimc_streamer_pipeline_terminate"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-22028

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Score: 0.06% exploit probability (19.4th percentile)

Published: April 16, 2025

Last Updated: October 28, 2025

🔗 References

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