CVE-2025-71285 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically associated with the 'MHI auto_queue' feature for IPCR DL channels. This vulnerability allows for potential NULL pointer dereference due to a race condition between client drivers and the MHI stack. The introduction of this feature, while simplifying driver design, leads to instances where callback functions may execute before necessary structures are properly initialized.
Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability as it impacts the availability of their systems. The reported issue specifically affects the Qcom X1E80100 CRD machines during boot processes. The risk to organizations includes potential system downtime due to unhandled exceptions caused by this race condition.
Currently, there are workarounds involving the initialization of internal structures before invoking the MHI queue APIs. However, these workarounds are not guaranteed to prevent the occurrence of NULL pointer dereferences, which further complicates remediation efforts. As a result, organizations must take swift action to mitigate the potential impacts of this vulnerability.
With a CVSS score of 5.5, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. It is crucial for organizations to patch their systems promptly to prevent exploitation that could lead to significant operational disruptions.
Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to address this vulnerability and ensure the stability and security of their systems.
Vulnerability Details
The Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2025-71285 involves the removal of the MHI 'auto_queue' feature due to its potential to cause race conditions. The formal description indicates that the MHI stack's 'auto_queue' feature can lead to the 'dl_callback' being called prematurely, resulting in uninitialized structures and subsequent NULL pointer dereferences.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating medium severity. It is essential to note that the attack vector is local, with low complexity and low privileges required for exploitation. There is no user interaction needed for an attack to succeed, and the impact on availability is classified as high, while confidentiality and integrity impacts are none.
The affected product is the Linux kernel, specifically versions from 5.15.63 to below 5.16, from 5.17 to below 6.18.17, and from 6.19 to below 6.19.6. The vulnerability was published on May 6, 2026.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-71285 is the design of the MHI 'auto_queue' feature that creates a race condition between the client drivers and the MHI stack. This design flaw allows the 'dl_callback' to execute before the client driver's structures are fully initialized. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the local machine. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require advanced skills to exploit the vulnerability.
No user interaction is required for the exploitation of this vulnerability. The impact on availability is high, meaning that it can lead to significant downtime or service interruption. The lack of confidentiality and integrity impacts indicates that the vulnerability does not compromise sensitive data or the correctness of operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment risk associated with CVE-2025-71285 is moderate, primarily due to its potential impact on system availability. Organizations using the affected Linux kernel versions may experience unexpected behavior leading to system crashes or unresponsive states, particularly during the boot process on affected hardware.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is significant as it affects a range of Linux kernel versions, potentially impacting numerous systems that rely on those versions for operation. Failure to address this vulnerability could lead to extensive downtime, affecting business continuity and operational efficiency.
The urgency for organizations to mitigate this vulnerability is high, given its moderate CVSS score and the potential for significant operational disruption. Organizations should prioritize remediation efforts to ensure system stability and reliability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
CVE-2025-71285 affects the Linux kernel versions starting from 5.15.63 up to, but not including, 5.16. It also affects versions from 5.17 up to, but not including, 6.18.17, as well as versions from 6.19 up to, but not including, 6.19.6. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to apply the necessary patches.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2025-71285, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by the Linux maintainers. For those unable to immediately upgrade, implementing workarounds involves ensuring that internal structures are initialized before calling MHI queue APIs. Furthermore, disabling the 'auto_queue' feature can mitigate the impact of this vulnerability.
Organizations may also consider engaging in continuous security testing to validate the effectiveness of remediation efforts and identify any similar vulnerabilities. For more information on effective penetration testing, organizations can refer to the guide on penetration testing.
Configuration hardening should also be implemented to minimize the risk. This includes setting appropriate permissions and monitoring for unusual activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected crashes or unresponsive states in systems using the affected Linux kernel versions. Behavioral anomalies, particularly during boot processes, should be logged and analyzed.
Network signatures may also help in detecting exploitation attempts, especially if the behavior deviates from typical network patterns. Additionally, monitoring system changes can aid in identifying unauthorized changes that may indicate an attempt to exploit the vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-71285 represents a critical issue within the Linux kernel that highlights the importance of rigorous testing and validation of new features prior to deployment. The introduction of the MHI 'auto_queue' feature, while intended to simplify driver operations, underscores the need for thorough analysis of potential race conditions and their implications.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to adopt a proactive approach in vulnerability management. Regularly conducting vulnerability assessments and implementing a robust vulnerability management program can help identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited.
In addition, continuous security testing is crucial for validating the effectiveness of patches and identifying any additional vulnerabilities. Organizations can benefit from engaging in penetration testing methodologies to strengthen their security posture.
Ultimately, CVE-2025-71285 highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and adaptation in the face of evolving threats. Organizations must remain proactive in their security measures to mitigate risks effectively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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