CVE-2025-37800
📋 TL;DR
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's dev_uevent() function could allow a local attacker to cause a kernel crash (denial of service) by triggering a NULL pointer dereference. This affects Linux systems where userspace processes access device uevent attributes while devices are being unbound from drivers. The vulnerability requires local access to the system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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...
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
Local denial of service through kernel crash, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper access controls limiting local user privileges and timely patching.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires precise timing (race condition) and local access to trigger the NULL pointer dereference.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees via provided git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18daa52418e7e4629ed1703b64777294209d2622
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict device access
linuxLimit access to device uevent attributes to trusted users only
chmod 600 /sys/devices/*/uevent
chown root:root /sys/devices/*/uevent
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit which users can access device sysfs attributes
- Monitor system for unexpected crashes and investigate any local user activity around device management
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version against distribution security advisories or examine kernel source for vulnerable dev_uevent() implementationCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes one of the patched commits: 18daa52418e7e4629ed1703b64777294209d2622, 2b344e779d9afd0fcb5ee4000e4d0fc7d8d867eb, 3781e4b83e174364998855de777e184cf0b62c40, or abe56be73eb10a677d16066f65ff9d30251f5eee📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/messages or dmesg
- System crash/reboot events without clear cause
- Multiple device unbinding events
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "NULL pointer dereference")