#VU112799 Improper locking in Linux kernel - CVE-2025-38268

Vulnerability identifier: #VU112799

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-38268

CWE-ID: CWE-667

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The vulnerability exists due to improper locking within the tcpm_queue_vdm(), tcpm_altmode_enter(), tcpm_altmode_exit(), tcpm_altmode_vdm(), tcpm_cable_altmode_enter(), tcpm_cable_altmode_exit() and tcpm_cable_altmode_vdm() functions in drivers/usb/typec/tcpm/tcpm.c. A local user can perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's repository.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1970d34b48cbeceb0c765984c9a6bb204c77f16a
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/324d45e53f1a36c88bc649dc39e0c8300a41be0a
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7bdd712abefbec79176ab412d8c623e755c5d0ba

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?