CVE-2025-38423
📋 TL;DR
A double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's WCD9375 audio codec driver allows attackers to cause memory corruption and potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems using the WCD9375 audio hardware. The vulnerability occurs when the driver incorrectly frees regulator supplies that were already managed by devm functions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with WCD9375 audio codec support
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting audio functionality.
If Mitigated
Limited to audio subsystem issues or system crashes without privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger audio subsystem operations. Memory corruption could be leveraged with additional vulnerabilities for more severe impact.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 63fe298652d4, c8228b5f3d74, and ce30258c05d3
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/63fe298652d4eda07d738bfcbbc59d1343a675ef
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel. 3. Verify WCD9375 driver is no longer calling regulator_bulk_free() in error/remove paths.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WCD9375 audio driver
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist snd-soc-wcd9375' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod snd-soc-wcd9375
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with WCD9375 hardware
- Monitor system logs for kernel crashes or audio subsystem errors
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if WCD9375 driver is loaded: lsmod | grep wcd9375. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits. Check that regulator_bulk_free() calls are removed from WCD9375 driver error/remove paths.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Audio subsystem errors
- Double-free detection in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "WCD9375" OR "double free")