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 HatNVDcve.org
Base Score4.45.5N/A
Attack VectorLocalLocalN/A
Attack ComplexityLowLowN/A
Privileges RequiredHighLowN/A
User InteractionNoneNoneN/A
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedN/A
ConfidentialityNoneNoneN/A
Integrity ImpactNoneNoneN/A
Availability ImpactHighHighN/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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