CVE-2025-38319
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AMD GPU driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting systems with AMD graphics hardware running vulnerable kernel versions. The vulnerability occurs when the driver fails to properly handle error conditions when retrieving VRAM information.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with AMD GPU driver (drm/amd/pp)
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or system instability.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic when the vulnerable code path is triggered, resulting in temporary denial of service.
If Mitigated
Minor system instability that requires reboot, with no data compromise or privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the specific driver functionality that leads to the NULL pointer dereference. This typically requires local access or ability to interact with the GPU driver.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits: 64f3acc8c7e6809631457b75638601b36dea3129, 7080c20a9139842033ed4af604dc1fa4028593ad, 820116a39f96bdc7d426c33a804b52f53700a919, 85cdcb834fb490731ff2d123f87ca799c57dacf2, a4ff7391c8b75b1541900bd9d0c238e558c11fb3
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f3acc8c7e6809631457b75638601b36dea3129
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a Linux kernel version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot the system to load the new kernel. 3. Verify the fix is applied by checking kernel version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AMD GPU driver module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable AMD GPU driver module
echo 'blacklist amdgpu' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with AMD graphics hardware
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for systems that cannot be patched immediately
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if your kernel version contains the vulnerable code by examining kernel source or checking if you have one of the fix commits in your kernel versionCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify your kernel version includes one of the fix commits: 64f3acc8c7e6809631457b75638601b36dea3129, 7080c20a9139842033ed4af604dc1fa4028593ad, 820116a39f96bdc7d426c33a804b52f53700a919, 85cdcb834fb490731ff2d123f87ca799c57dacf2, or a4ff7391c8b75b1541900bd9d0c238e558c11fb3📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- System crash logs mentioning AMD GPU driver or NULL pointer dereference
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or system crash logs containing 'NULL pointer', 'dereference', or 'amdgpu' driver references🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f3acc8c7e6809631457b75638601b36dea3129
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7080c20a9139842033ed4af604dc1fa4028593ad
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/820116a39f96bdc7d426c33a804b52f53700a919
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/85cdcb834fb490731ff2d123f87ca799c57dacf2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a4ff7391c8b75b1541900bd9d0c238e558c11fb3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cdf7e1ff99ab06ef15d0b5d1aca5258a4fb62b85
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html
