CVE-2025-37933
📋 TL;DR
A double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's octeon_ep driver can cause host system hangs when the driver is unloaded after losing heartbeat messages from the device. This affects systems using the octeon_ep driver for network interfaces, potentially leading to denial of service. The vulnerability requires local access or ability to trigger driver operations.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with octeon_ep driver
📦 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 →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
Complete host system hang requiring physical reboot, causing extended service disruption and potential data loss.
Likely Case
Local denial of service affecting network connectivity on systems using the octeon_ep driver, requiring system reboot to recover.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are patched or don't use the octeon_ep driver; isolated network interface failure if proper monitoring exists.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific driver state transitions; not trivial but possible for local users with sufficient privileges.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel stable releases containing commits 34f42736b325, 6d1052423518, 7e1ca1bed3f6, c8d788f800f8
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/34f42736b325287a7b2ce37e415838f539767bda
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from distribution vendor. 2. Rebuild kernel if using custom kernel with affected code. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable octeon_ep driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist octeon_ep' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod octeon_ep
Avoid driver unload scenarios
linuxPrevent conditions that trigger the vulnerability by maintaining stable device connections
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor systems for unexpected reboots or hangs and investigate octeon_ep driver usage
- Implement strict access controls to prevent local users from triggering driver operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if octeon_ep driver is loaded: lsmod | grep octeon_ep; check kernel version against patched releasesCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits; test driver unload scenarios after heartbeat loss📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- System hang events
- octeon_ep driver error messages in dmesg
- Unexpected system reboots
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of network interfaces using octeon_ep driver
- Heartbeat message failures between host and device
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("octeon_ep" OR "double free" OR "kernel panic")