CVE-2025-38486

CVE-2025-38486 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: soundwire: Revert "soundwire: qcom: Add set_channel_map api support" This reverts commit 7796c97df6b1b2206681a07f3c80f6023a6593d5. This patch broke Dragonboard 845c (sdm845). I see: Unexpected kernel BRK exception at EL1 Internal error: BRK handler: 00000000f20003e8 [#1] SMP pc : qcom_swrm_set_channel_map+0x7c/0x80 [soundwire_qcom] lr : snd_soc_dai_set_channel_map+0x34/0x78 Call trace: qcom_swrm_set_channel_map+0x7c/0x80 [soundwire_qcom] (P) sdm845_dai_init+0x18c/0x2e0 [snd_soc_sdm845] snd_soc_link_init+0x28/0x6c snd_soc_bind_card+0x5f4/0xb0c snd_soc_register_card+0x148/0x1a4 devm_snd_soc_register_card+0x50/0xb0 sdm845_snd_platform_probe+0x124/0x148 [snd_soc_sdm845] platform_probe+0x6c/0xd0 really_probe+0xc0/0x2a4 __driver_probe_device+0x7c/0x130 driver_probe_device+0x40/0x118 __device_attach_driver+0xc4/0x108 bus_for_each_drv+0x8c/0xf0 __device_attach+0xa4/0x198 device_initial_probe+0x18/0x28 bus_probe_device+0xb8/0xbc deferred_probe_work_func+0xac/0xfc process_one_work+0x244/0x658 worker_thread+0x1b4/0x360 kthread+0x148/0x228 ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20 Kernel panic - not syncing: BRK handler: Fatal exception Dan has also reported following issues with the original patch https://lore.kernel.org/all/[email protected]/ Bug #1: The zeroeth element of ctrl->pconfig[] is supposed to be unused. We start counting at 1. However this code sets ctrl->pconfig[0].ch_mask = 128. Bug #2: There are SLIM_MAX_TX_PORTS (16) elements in tx_ch[] array but only QCOM_SDW_MAX_PORTS + 1 (15) in the ctrl->pconfig[] array so it corrupts memory like Yongqin Liu pointed out. Bug 3: Like Jie Gan pointed out, it erases all the tx information with the rx information.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-38486?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: soundwire: Revert "soundwire: qcom: Add set_channel_map api support" This reverts commit 7796c97df6b1b2206681a07f3c80f6023a6593d5. This patch broke Dragonboard 845c (sdm845). I see: Unexpected kernel BRK exception at EL1 Internal error: BRK handler: 00000000f20003e8 [#1] SMP pc : qcom_swrm_set_channel_map+0x7c/0x80 [soundwire_qcom] lr : snd_soc_dai_set_channel_map+0x34/0x78 Call trace: qcom_swrm_set_channel_map+0x7c/0x80 [soundwire_qcom] (P) sdm845_dai_init+0x18c/0x2e0 [snd_soc_sdm845] snd_soc_link_init+0x28/0x6c snd_soc_bind_card+0x5f4/0xb0c snd_soc_register_card+0x148/0x1a4 devm_snd_soc_register_card+0x50/0xb0 sdm845_snd_platform_probe+0x124/0x148 [snd_soc_sdm845] platform_probe+0x6c/0xd0 really_probe+0xc0/0x2a4 __driver_probe_device+0x7c/0x130 driver_probe_device+0x40/0x118 __device_attach_driver+0xc4/0x108 bus_for_each_drv+0x8c/0xf0 __device_attach+0xa4/0x198 device_initial_probe+0x18/0x28 bus_probe_device+0xb8/0xbc deferred_probe_work_func+0xac/0xfc process_one_work+0x244/0x658 worker_thread+0x1b4/0x360 kthread+0x148/0x228 ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20 Kernel panic - not syncing: BRK handler: Fatal exception Dan has also reported following issues with the original patch https://lore.kernel.org/all/[email protected]/ Bug #1: The zeroeth element of ctrl->pconfig[] is supposed to be unused. We start counting at 1. However this code sets ctrl->pconfig[0].ch_mask = 128. Bug #2: There are SLIM_MAX_TX_PORTS (16) elements in tx_ch[] array but only QCOM_SDW_MAX_PORTS + 1 (15) in the ctrl->pconfig[] array so it corrupts memory like Yongqin Liu pointed out. Bug 3: Like Jie Gan pointed out, it erases all the tx information with the rx information.
How severe is CVE-2025-38486?
CVE-2025-38486 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-38486 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-2025-38486?
CVE-2025-38486 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38486?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
Does CVE-2025-38486 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2025-38486 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-22877.
When was CVE-2025-38486 published?
CVE-2025-38486 was published on 2025-07-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

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