CVE-2025-37892 – This CVE describes a missing error check in the... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-37892?

CVE-2025-37892 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a missing error check in the Linux kernel's INFTL (Inverse NAND Flash Translation Layer) subsystem. If the inftl_read_oob() function fails in INFTL_findwriteunit(), the system doesn't handle the error properly, potentially leading to memory corruption or system crashes. This affects Linux systems using MTD (Memory Technology Device) with INFTL support.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a missing error check in the Linux kernel's INFTL (Inverse NAND Flash Translation Layer) subsystem. If the inftl_read_oob() function fails in INFTL_findwriteunit(), the system doesn't handle the error properly, potentially leading to memory corruption or system crashes. This affects Linux systems using MTD (Memory Technology Device) with INFTL support.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not specified in CVE, but likely multiple stable kernel versions before the fix commits.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only affects systems with MTD devices using INFTL support enabled (CONFIG_MTD_INFTL). Many desktop/server systems may not have this enabled by default.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

View all CVEs affecting Debian Linux →

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...

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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 →

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, or potential privilege escalation if memory corruption can be controlled.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability or crashes when accessing corrupted flash memory through the INFTL subsystem.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if systems don't use INFTL or have proper error handling in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a kernel-level vulnerability requiring local access or specific hardware interaction.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious local users or through hardware attacks on embedded systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires triggering the specific error condition in inftl_read_oob() through hardware interaction or corrupted flash memory.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 0300e751170cf80c05ca1a762a7b449e8ca6b693, 114d94f095aa405fa9a51484c4be34846d7bb386, 1c22356dfb041e5292835c9ff44d5f91bef8dd18, 5479a6af3c96f73bec2d2819532b6d6814f52dd6, 6af3b92b1c0b58ca281d0e1501bad2567f73c1a5

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0300e751170cf80c05ca1a762a7b449e8ca6b693

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update to a kernel version containing the fix commits. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable INFTL support

linux

Disable the INFTL subsystem if not needed

Disable CONFIG_MTD_INFTL in kernel configuration and rebuild kernel

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical access to systems using INFTL devices
Implement strict access controls for users who can interact with MTD devices

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if kernel has INFTL support enabled: grep CONFIG_MTD_INFTL /boot/config-$(uname -r) or check kernel config

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes the fix commits or check if error handling is present in INFTL_findwriteunit() function

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
MTD/INFTL error messages in dmesg
System crashes when accessing flash storage

Network Indicators:

None - this is a local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events or MTD subsystem errors in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-37892

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

EPSS Score: 0.02% exploit probability (4.6th percentile)

Published: May 20, 2025

Last Updated: November 12, 2025

🔗 References

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