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CVE Record

CVE-2025-21689: USB: serial: quatech2: fix null-ptr-deref in qt2_process_read_urb()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: USB: serial: quatech2: fix null-ptr-deref in qt2_process_read_urb() This patch addresses a null-ptr-deref in qt2_process_read_urb() due to an incorrect bounds check in the following: if (newport > serial->num_ports) { dev_err(&port->dev, "%s - port change to invalid port: %i\n", __func__, newport); break; } The condition doesn't account for the valid range of the serial->port buffer, which is from 0 to serial->num_ports - 1. When newport is equal to serial->num_ports, the assignment of "port" in the following code is out-of-bounds and NULL: serial_priv->current_port = newport; port = serial->port[serial_priv->current_port]; The fix checks if newport is greater than or equal to serial->num_ports indicating it is out-of-bounds.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-21689 is a Linux kernel flaw in the Quatech2 USB serial driver. A local, low-privileged user could trigger a kernel null pointer dereference, causing a denial of service. The sources do not support data theft, privilege escalation, or active exploitation claims.

Executive priority

Treat this as a routine-to-priority kernel availability fix, especially for fleets with USB serial usage. It does not justify emergency response absent exposure indicators, but kernel denial-of-service flaws should be remediated during the next security maintenance window.

Technical view

The bug is an incorrect bounds check in qt2_process_read_urb(). A port value equal to serial->num_ports is accepted, then used to index serial->port out of bounds, producing a NULL port pointer. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5 with local attack vector, low privileges, no user interaction, and high availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems with affected kernel versions and the quatech2 USB serial driver reachable. Business impact is availability, not confidentiality or integrity. Systems without this driver or relevant USB serial usage likely have limited practical exposure, but should still follow kernel vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

The bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local access with low privileges is required. The vulnerability is a denial-of-service condition, not a remote compromise path in the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

The core issue is a greater-than check where greater-than-or-equal was required for serial->num_ports bounds. The source bundle references multiple Linux stable commits and Debian LTS announcements, but does not include exploit details or full distribution package mapping.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel or distribution updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using USB serial devices or loading the quatech2 driver.
  • Check Debian LTS advisories if running affected Debian LTS kernels.
  • If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance on reducing driver exposure.
  • Track kernel package status against your distribution security advisories.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, workstations, appliances, and embedded systems.
  • Check whether the quatech2 USB serial driver is present or loadable.
  • Confirm installed kernel packages include the vendor fix for CVE-2025-21689.
  • Review vulnerability scanner findings for CVE-2025-21689 and reconcile with kernel package versions.
  • Verify reboot completion after kernel updates where required.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
12

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2025-21689 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
11Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-21689Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxf7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484ed, f7a33e608d9ae022b7f49307921627e34e9484edunaffected
LinuxLinux3.5, 0, 5.4.290, 5.10.234, 5.15.178, 6.1.128, 6.6.75, 6.12.12, 6.13.1, 6.14affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.