Linux: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2025-22037 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 2d3461d6ae74ebdcd4d65128c855198649bcadcd, cce57cd8c5dead24127cf2308fdd60fcad2d6ba6, ca8bed31edf728a662ef9d6f39f50e7a7dc2b5ad as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 68.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.64% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update Linux to 2d3461d6ae74ebdcd4d65128c855198649bcadcd or cce57cd8c5dead24127cf2308fdd60fcad2d6ba6 or ca8bed31edf728a662ef9d6f39f50e7a7dc2b5ad or 8f216b33a5e1b3489c073b1ea1b3d7cb63c8dc4d, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.6.107 or 6.12.23 or 6.13.11 or 6.14.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, 2d3461d6ae74ebdcd4d65128c855198649bcadcd; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, cce57cd8c5dead24127cf2308fdd60fcad2d6ba6; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, ca8bed31edf728a662ef9d6f39f50e7a7dc2b5ad; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, 8f216b33a5e1b3489c073b1ea1b3d7cb63c8dc4d; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, b8eb243e670ecf30e91524dd12f7260dac07d335; 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf up to, but not including, c8b5b7c5da7d0c31c9b7190b4a7bba5281fc4780; 5.15 | 2d3461d6ae74ebdcd4d65128c855198649bcadcd, cce57cd8c5dead24127cf2308fdd60fcad2d6ba6, ca8bed31edf728a662ef9d6f39f50e7a7dc2b5ad, 8f216b33a5e1b3489c073b1ea1b3d7cb63c8dc4d, b8eb243e670ecf30e91524dd12f7260dac07d335, c8b5b7c5da7d0c31c9b7190b4a7bba5281fc4780 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.6 up to, but not including, 6.6.107; 6.12 up to, but not including, 6.12.23; 6.13 up to, but not including, 6.13.11; 6.14 up to, but not including, 6.14.2 | 6.6.107, 6.12.23, 6.13.11, 6.14.2 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: fix null pointer dereference in alloc_preauth_hash() The Client send malformed smb2 negotiate request. ksmbd return error response. Subsequently, the client can send smb2 session setup even thought conn->preauth_info is not allocated. This patch add KSMBD_SESS_NEED_SETUP status of connection to ignore session setup request if smb2 negotiate phase is not complete.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8f216b33a5e1b3489c073b1ea1b3d7cb63c8dc4d
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b8eb243e670ecf30e91524dd12f7260dac07d335
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8b5b7c5da7d0c31c9b7190b4a7bba5281fc4780
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ca8bed31edf728a662ef9d6f39f50e7a7dc2b5ad
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cce57cd8c5dead24127cf2308fdd60fcad2d6ba6
Third-party and government advisories
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-310/Third Party Advisory
Other references
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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