CVE-2025-38368
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tps6594-pfsm driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash on systems using this driver. The vulnerability affects Linux systems with the tps6594-pfsm driver loaded.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with tps6594-pfsm 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially requiring physical reboot.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic when the driver is loaded and the specific code path is triggered.
If Mitigated
No impact if the driver is not loaded or the vulnerable code path is not executed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the vulnerable code path. Found by static analysis tool, not known to be exploited in the wild.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits a10c8bff454b, a8d1b4f219e8, a99b598d836c, or d27ee5c59881
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a10c8bff454b11ef553d9df19ee722d2df34cd0e
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel. 3. Verify driver functionality if using TPS6594 hardware.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload tps6594-pfsm driver
linuxRemove the vulnerable driver module if not needed
sudo rmmod tps6594-pfsm
Blacklist driver module
linuxPrevent driver from loading at boot
echo 'blacklist tps6594-pfsm' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-tps6594-pfsm.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure the tps6594-pfsm driver is not loaded if not required for hardware
- Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable driver loaded
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if tps6594-pfsm driver is loaded: lsmod | grep tps6594-pfsmCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version contains fix commits or verify driver loads without issues📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in kernel logs
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer" OR "kernel panic" OR "Oops") AND "tps6594"