CVE-2025-39855
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Intel ice driver allows local attackers to cause a kernel NULL pointer dereference, leading to system crashes or potential privilege escalation. This affects systems using Intel E810 network adapters with specific firmware. The vulnerability occurs when Tx timestamp interrupts race with driver reset operations.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Intel ice 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to denial of service, or potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities to achieve code execution.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic causing service disruption and requiring reboot.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patching; unpatched systems remain vulnerable to crashes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger Tx timestamp interrupts during driver reset operations.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patched in kernel commits 1467a873b201 and 403bf043d934
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1467a873b20110263cc9c93de99335d139c11e16
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fixes 2. Reboot system 3. Verify driver version
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ice driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the ice driver if not using Intel E810 hardware
echo 'blacklist ice' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod ice
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to prevent malicious users from triggering the condition
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic messages related to ice driver
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ice driver is loaded: lsmod | grep iceCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version includes fixes: uname -r and verify against patched versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages mentioning ice_ptp_ts_irq
- NULL pointer dereference errors in dmesg
- ice driver crash logs
Network Indicators:
- Network interface disruptions on affected adapters
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("ice_ptp_ts_irq" OR "NULL pointer dereference" OR "ice driver")