CVE-2025-38702
Description
From CVE.org
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: fix potential buffer overflow in do_register_framebuffer() The current implementation may lead to buffer overflow when: 1. Unregistration creates NULL gaps in registered_fb[] 2. All array slots become occupied despite num_registered_fb < FB_MAX 3. The registration loop exceeds array bounds Add boundary check to prevent registered_fb[FB_MAX] access.
Statement
A flaw was found in fbdev’s do_register_framebuffer() where gaps in registered_fb[] combined with a full array could let the loop step past FB_MAX, causing an out-of-bounds access and kernel memory corruption. This is locally reachable only through privileged framebuffer registration paths (e.g., driver probe/hotplug) and can lead to system instability or crash. Exploitable only on systems that actually use the legacy fbdev stack. Modern desktops/servers typically don’t expose or rely on /dev/fb*.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
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 | 7.8 | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | N/A |
| Privileges Required | High | Low | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | None | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | N/A |
| Confidentiality | None | High | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | High | High | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | High | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Write operations could cause memory corruption. In some cases, an adversary can modify control data such as return addresses in order to execute unexpected code.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
Attempting to access out-of-range, invalid, or unauthorized memory could cause the product to crash.
Other
Technical Impact: Unexpected State
Subsequent write operations can produce undefined or unexpected results.
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