CVE-2025-38695
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel lpfc driver, used for Fibre Channel storage adapters. During port initialization, the driver's cleanup routine can dereference a null pointer when hardware queue structures have not been allocated. A local user could trigger this condition and cause a kernel crash, leading to a denial of service until it is restarted.
Statement
In the linux kernel lpfc driver for Fibre Channel adapters, a null-pointer dereference can occur during error handling in port initialization. If lpfc_sli4_read_rev() fails before hardware queues are allocated, the cleanup routine lpfc_sli4_vport_delete_fcp_xri_aborted() attempts to access the first queue lock and crshes, resulting in a denial of service until the driver is restarted.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, prevent the lpfc kernel module from being loaded. Please see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 for instructions on how to blacklist a kernel module to prevent it from loading automatically.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.3 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | High | Low | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | None | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | N/A |
| Confidentiality | High | None | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | High | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
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