CVE-2025-23148 – A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-23148?

CVE-2025-23148 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Exynos ChipID driver could cause kernel panic or system crash when accessing uninitialized memory. This affects Linux systems using Samsung Exynos processors. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.

📋 TL;DR

A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Exynos ChipID driver could cause kernel panic or system crash when accessing uninitialized memory. This affects Linux systems using Samsung Exynos processors. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with Samsung Exynos ChipID driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with Exynos ChipID driver support

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with Samsung Exynos processors where the exynos-chipid driver is loaded.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

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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...

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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 →

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 leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.

🟠

Likely Case

System crash or kernel panic when the vulnerable code path is triggered during device initialization.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor system instability or crash limited to the affected driver initialization.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to trigger, not remotely exploitable.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could trigger system crashes affecting availability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to trigger the vulnerable code path during driver initialization.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 4129760e462f45f14e61b10408ace61aa7c2ed30 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4129760e462f45f14e61b10408ace61aa7c2ed30

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commit. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Exynos ChipID driver

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver module

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

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local access to prevent unauthorized users from triggering the vulnerability
Implement monitoring for kernel panic events and system crashes

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if exynos-chipid driver is loaded: lsmod | grep exynos-chipid

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version contains fix commit: uname -r and verify against patched versions

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
System crash/reboot events

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND "panic" AND "exynos" OR "chipid"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-23148

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

CWE: CWE-476

EPSS Score: 0.03% exploit probability (6.2th percentile)

Published: May 1, 2025

Last Updated: November 5, 2025

🔗 References

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