CVE-2025-38053
📋 TL;DR
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's idpf driver allows local attackers to cause a kernel panic (denial of service) by triggering the idpf_features_check function during a device reset. This affects systems using the Intel Data Path Function (IDPF) driver for network interfaces. Attackers need local access to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with idpf 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 →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 denial of service through kernel panic when network operations coincide with device reset events.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper access controls preventing local attackers from triggering the vulnerable code path.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and timing to trigger during device reset. No authentication bypass needed beyond local access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel branches via git commits: 2dabe349f7882ff1407a784d54d8541909329088, bf1e751c5a5611aa037ab44cca955c141eb68dcc, f6f5e9c8cb680c3cb9771fd9fa114319cbc4f514
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dabe349f7882ff1407a784d54d8541909329088
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Check with your distribution for kernel security updates. 3. Reboot system after kernel update. 4. Verify idpf driver is loaded with patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable idpf driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable idpf driver module
echo 'blacklist idpf' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod idpf
Restrict local access
allLimit local user access to prevent exploitation
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or unload the idpf driver if not required for system functionality
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and prevent malicious local processes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if idpf module is loaded: lsmod | grep idpf. Check kernel version against patched versions from git commits.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits: uname -r. Check dmesg for idpf-related crashes after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in dmesg/system logs
- NULL pointer dereference errors mentioning idpf_features_check
- Call trace showing idpf_features_check in RIP
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of network connectivity on interfaces using idpf driver
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "idpf_features_check" OR "kernel panic")