CVE-2025-38700: debian linux Null Dereference — Fix

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: libiscsi: Initialize iscsi_conn->dd_data only if memory is allocated In case of an ib_fast_reg_mr allocation failure during iSER setup, the machine hits a panic because iscsi_conn->dd_data is initialized unconditionally, even when no memory is allocated (dd_size == 0). This leads invalid pointer dereference during connection teardown. Fix by setting iscsi_conn->dd_data only if memory is actually allocated. Panic trace: ------------ iser: iser_create_fastreg_desc: Failed to allocate ib_fast_reg_mr err=-12 iser: iser_alloc_rx_descriptors: failed allocating rx descriptors / data buffers BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: fffffffffffffff8 RIP: 0010:swake_up_locked.part.5+0xa/0x40 Call Trace: complete+0x31/0x40 iscsi_iser_conn_stop+0x88/0xb0 [ib_iser] iscsi_stop_conn+0x66/0xc0 [scsi_transport_iscsi] iscsi_if_stop_conn+0x14a/0x150 [scsi_transport_iscsi] iscsi_if_rx+0x1135/0x1834 [scsi_transport_iscsi] ? netlink_lookup+0x12f/0x1b0 ? netlink_deliver_tap+0x2c/0x200 netlink_unicast+0x1ab/0x280 netlink_sendmsg+0x257/0x4f0 ? _copy_from_user+0x29/0x60 sock_sendmsg+0x5f/0x70

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CVSS v3.1 Score

5.5

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-476 CWE-476

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
linux	linux_kernel	2.6.27 — 5.4.297
linux	linux_kernel	5.5 — 5.10.241
linux	linux_kernel	5.11 — 5.15.190
linux	linux_kernel	5.16 — 6.1.149
linux	linux_kernel	6.2 — 6.6.103
linux	linux_kernel	6.7 — 6.12.43
linux	linux_kernel	6.13 — 6.15.11
linux	linux_kernel	6.16 — 6.16.2
debian	debian_linux	All

References

Advisories & Patches

Other References

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.html https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.html https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-032379.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-38700? +

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: libiscsi: Initialize iscsi_conn->dd_data only if memory is allocated In case of an ib_fast_reg_mr allocation failure during iSER setup, the machine hits a panic because iscsi_conn->dd_data is initialized unconditionally, even when no memory is allocated (dd_size == 0). This leads invalid pointer dereference during connection teardown. Fix by setting iscsi_conn->dd_data only if memory is actually allocated. Panic trace: ------------ iser: iser_create_fastreg_desc: Failed to allocate ib_fast_reg_mr err=-12 iser: iser_alloc_rx_descriptors: failed allocating rx descriptors / data buffers BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: fffffffffffffff8 RIP: 0010:swake_up_locked.part.5+0xa/0x40 Call Trace: complete+0x31/0x40 iscsi_iser_conn_stop+0x88/0xb0 [ib_iser] iscsi_stop_conn+0x66/0xc0 [scsi_transport_iscsi] iscsi_if_stop_conn+0x14a/0x150 [scsi_transport_iscsi] iscsi_if_rx+0x1135/0x1834 [scsi_transport_iscsi] ? netlink_lookup+0x12f/0x1b0 ? netlink_deliver_tap+0x2c/0x200 netlink_unicast+0x1ab/0x280 netlink_sendmsg+0x257/0x4f0 ? _copy_from_user+0x29/0x60 sock_sendmsg+0x5f/0x70 It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2025-38700? +

CVE-2025-38700 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.5 out of 10, rated MEDIUM. This is a medium-severity vulnerability that should be remediated as part of regular maintenance.

What products are affected by CVE-2025-38700? +

CVE-2025-38700 affects products from debian, linux, specifically: debian_linux, linux_kernel. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2025-38700? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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CVE-2025-38700