CVE-2025-39724
Description
From CVE.org
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: serial: 8250: fix panic due to PSLVERR When the PSLVERR_RESP_EN parameter is set to 1, the device generates an error response if an attempt is made to read an empty RBR (Receive Buffer Register) while the FIFO is enabled. In serial8250_do_startup(), calling serial_port_out(port, UART_LCR, UART_LCR_WLEN8) triggers dw8250_check_lcr(), which invokes dw8250_force_idle() and serial8250_clear_and_reinit_fifos(). The latter function enables the FIFO via serial_out(p, UART_FCR, p->fcr). Execution proceeds to the serial_port_in(port, UART_RX). This satisfies the PSLVERR trigger condition. When another CPU (e.g., using printk()) is accessing the UART (UART is busy), the current CPU fails the check (value & ~UART_LCR_SPAR) == (lcr & ~UART_LCR_SPAR) in dw8250_check_lcr(), causing it to enter dw8250_force_idle(). Put serial_port_out(port, UART_LCR, UART_LCR_WLEN8) under the port->lock to fix this issue. Panic backtrace: [ 0.442336] Oops - unknown exception [#1] [ 0.442343] epc : dw8250_serial_in32+0x1e/0x4a [ 0.442351] ra : serial8250_do_startup+0x2c8/0x88e ... [ 0.442416] console_on_rootfs+0x26/0x70
Statement
A race condition in the 8250 DW UART driver could trigger a PSLVERR and kernel panic when concurrent access occurs during device startup. The bug is only reachable with privileged access (e.g., console or driver initialization) and does not expose memory or data integrity risks. Impact is limited to a local denial of service.
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 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 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 | None | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | 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: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: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Resource Consumption (Other)
When a race condition makes it possible to bypass a resource cleanup routine or trigger multiple initialization routines, it may lead to resource exhaustion.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Instability
When a race condition allows multiple control flows to access a resource simultaneously, it might lead the product(s) into unexpected states, possibly resulting in a crash.
Confidentiality,Integrity
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories; Read Application Data
When a race condition is combined with predictable resource names and loose permissions, it may be possible for an attacker to overwrite or access confidential data (CWE-59).
Access Control
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; Bypass Protection Mechanism
This can have security implications when the expected synchronization is in security-critical code, such as recording whether a user is authenticated or modifying important state information that should not be influenced by an outsider.
Frequently Asked Questions
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