CVE-2025-38440

CVE-2025-38440 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.7. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-362.

Key facts

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: Fix race between DIM disable and net_dim() There's a race between disabling DIM and NAPI callbacks using the dim pointer on the RQ or SQ. If NAPI checks the DIM state bit and sees it still set, it assumes `rq->dim` or `sq->dim` is valid. But if DIM gets disabled right after that check, the pointer might already be set to NULL, leading to a NULL pointer dereference in net_dim(). Fix this by calling `synchronize_net()` before freeing the DIM context. This ensures all in-progress NAPI callbacks are finished before the pointer is cleared. Kernel log: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000 ... RIP: 0010:net_dim+0x23/0x190 ... Call Trace: <TASK> ? __die+0x20/0x60 ? page_fault_oops+0x150/0x3e0 ? common_interrupt+0xf/0xa0 ? sysvec_call_function_single+0xb/0x90 ? exc_page_fault+0x74/0x130 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x22/0x30 ? net_dim+0x23/0x190 ? mlx5e_poll_ico_cq+0x41/0x6f0 [mlx5_core] ? sysvec_apic_timer_interrupt+0xb/0x90 mlx5e_handle_rx_dim+0x92/0xd0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_napi_poll+0x2cd/0xac0 [mlx5_core] ? mlx5e_poll_ico_cq+0xe5/0x6f0 [mlx5_core] busy_poll_stop+0xa2/0x200 ? mlx5e_napi_poll+0x1d9/0xac0 [mlx5_core] ? mlx5e_trigger_irq+0x130/0x130 [mlx5_core] __napi_busy_loop+0x345/0x3b0 ? sysvec_call_function_single+0xb/0x90 ? asm_sysvec_call_function_single+0x16/0x20 ? sysvec_apic_timer_interrupt+0xb/0x90 ? pcpu_free_area+0x1e4/0x2e0 napi_busy_loop+0x11/0x20 xsk_recvmsg+0x10c/0x130 sock_recvmsg+0x44/0x70 __sys_recvfrom+0xbc/0x130 ? __schedule+0x398/0x890 __x64_sys_recvfrom+0x20/0x30 do_syscall_64+0x4c/0x100 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 ... ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- ... ---[ end Kernel panic - not syncing: Fatal exception in interrupt ]---

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38440?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: Fix race between DIM disable and net_dim() There's a race between disabling DIM and NAPI callbacks using the dim pointer on the RQ or SQ. If NAPI checks the DIM state bit and sees it still set, it assumes `rq->dim` or `sq->dim` is valid. But if DIM gets disabled right after that check, the pointer might already be set to NULL, leading to a NULL pointer dereference in net_dim(). Fix this by calling `synchronize_net()` before freeing the DIM context. This ensures all in-progress NAPI callbacks are finished before the pointer is cleared. Kernel log: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000 ... RIP: 0010:net_dim+0x23/0x190 ... Call Trace: <TASK> ? __die+0x20/0x60 ? page_fault_oops+0x150/0x3e0 ? common_interrupt+0xf/0xa0 ? sysvec_call_function_single+0xb/0x90 ? exc_page_fault+0x74/0x130 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x22/0x30 ? net_dim+0x23/0x190 ? mlx5e_poll_ico_cq+0x41/0x6f0 [mlx5_core] ? sysvec_apic_timer_interrupt+0xb/0x90 mlx5e_handle_rx_dim+0x92/0xd0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_napi_poll+0x2cd/0xac0 [mlx5_core] ? mlx5e_poll_ico_cq+0xe5/0x6f0 [mlx5_core] busy_poll_stop+0xa2/0x200 ? mlx5e_napi_poll+0x1d9/0xac0 [mlx5_core] ? mlx5e_trigger_irq+0x130/0x130 [mlx5_core] __napi_busy_loop+0x345/0x3b0 ? sysvec_call_function_single+0xb/0x90 ? asm_sysvec_call_function_single+0x16/0x20 ? sysvec_apic_timer_interrupt+0xb/0x90 ? pcpu_free_area+0x1e4/0x2e0 napi_busy_loop+0x11/0x20 xsk_recvmsg+0x10c/0x130 sock_recvmsg+0x44/0x70 __sys_recvfrom+0xbc/0x130 ? __schedule+0x398/0x890 __x64_sys_recvfrom+0x20/0x30 do_syscall_64+0x4c/0x100 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 ... ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- ... ---[ end Kernel panic - not syncing: Fatal exception in interrupt ]---
How severe is CVE-2025-38440?
CVE-2025-38440 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-38440 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (2nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2025-38440?
CVE-2025-38440 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38440?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
Does CVE-2025-38440 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2025-38440 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-22701.
When was CVE-2025-38440 published?
CVE-2025-38440 was published on 2025-07-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

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