CVE-2025-37910
📋 TL;DR
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's PTP (Precision Time Protocol) OCP driver for Adva boards can cause kernel crashes when accessing SMA sysfs operations. This affects systems using Adva networking equipment with vulnerable Linux kernel versions. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger but can lead to denial of service.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with PTP OCP driver for Adva boards
📦 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, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot the system.
Likely Case
Local user with access to sysfs can crash the kernel, causing temporary service disruption until system reboot.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, only privileged users can trigger the vulnerability, limiting impact to authorized personnel.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the sysfs interface (/sys/class/ptp/ptpX/). No authentication bypass needed if user has appropriate permissions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel commits: 5b349f9cdb4a9daa133bea267dfc0c383628387a, 8a543d825e78b8d680d8f891381b83fbffdb0bb6, e98386d79a23c57cf179fe4138322e277aa3aa74
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b349f9cdb4a9daa133bea267dfc0c383628387a
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to kernel version containing the fix. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update. 4. Verify PTP OCP driver loads correctly.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict sysfs access
linuxLimit access to PTP sysfs interfaces to prevent unauthorized users from triggering the vulnerability
chmod 600 /sys/class/ptp/ptp*/sma*
setfacl -m u:ptpuser:rw /sys/class/ptp/ptp*/sma*
Disable PTP OCP module
linuxUnload the vulnerable driver if Adva PTP functionality is not required
modprobe -r ptp_ocp
echo 'blacklist ptp_ocp' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ptp-ocp.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls on /sys/class/ptp/ directories
- Monitor for kernel panic logs and implement automated alerting
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if PTP OCP module is loaded: lsmod | grep ptp_ocp. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits. Test SMA sysfs operations on Adva boards.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference in kernel logs
- PTP service crashes
Network Indicators:
- Loss of PTP synchronization
- Network timing anomalies
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "kernel panic") AND "ptp"