Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Linux’s Dell system-management driver can mishandle invalid firmware-management data. On an affected Dell system, a local low-privilege user may be able to trigger serious confidentiality, integrity, or availability impact. It is not remotely exploitable according to the supplied CVSS vector.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority endpoint patching issue, especially where untrusted users have local accounts. It is less urgent than an internet-reachable flaw, but potential kernel-level impact warrants prompt remediation through approved distribution updates.
Technical view
The dell-wmi-sysman driver’s sysfs callbacks could dereference a retrieved WMI data block without first confirming that it was valid. The stable-kernel changes add validation before dereferencing. The supplied CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, scoring 7.8.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most plausible on Dell systems running an affected Linux kernel with dell-wmi-sysman present and usable. The supplied version data names several kernels from 5.11 through 6.16, but does not clearly define complete affected and fixed ranges. Confirm status through the operating-system vendor.
Exploitation context
The supplied record requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction. It is not listed in KEV, and the source bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. Absence from KEV does not prove exploitation has never occurred.
Researcher notes
The source bundle does not identify a CWE, detailed failure mode, proof of concept, or exploitation telemetry. Repeated commit identifiers and the anomalous version value “0” make the affected-version data unreliable for precise scanning. Use distribution package provenance and the cited stable commits rather than version-string assumptions alone.
Mitigation direction
- Install a vendor-supported kernel package that explicitly fixes CVE-2025-38412.
- Confirm the updated package incorporates the applicable cited stable-kernel correction.
- Prioritize affected Dell multi-user systems and endpoints exposed to untrusted local accounts.
- If updates are unavailable, obtain mitigation guidance from the Linux distribution vendor.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Dell systems, installed kernel versions, and distribution package revisions.
- Determine whether dell-wmi-sysman is present and applicable on each system.
- Check vendor advisories and package changelogs for explicit CVE-2025-38412 remediation.
- Verify patched systems boot successfully and retain required Dell management functionality.
- Review kernel logs for related driver faults, while recognizing they do not establish exploitation.
Public sources used
- CVE Program record for CVE-2025-38412
- CVE List V5 record
- Linux stable kernel correction 92c2d914
- Linux stable kernel correction 68e99635
- Linux stable kernel correction 0deb3eb7
- Linux stable kernel correction 5df3b870
- Linux stable kernel correction aaf847dc
- Linux stable kernel correction eb617dd2
- Debian LTS advisory
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2025-38412 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9LinuxVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/92c2d914b5337431d885597a79a3a3d9d55e80b7CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68e9963583d11963ceca5d276e9c44684509f759CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0deb3eb78ebf225cb41aa9b2b2150f46cbfd359eCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5df3b870bc389a1767c72448a3ce1c576ef4deabCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/aaf847dcb4114fe8b25d4c1c790bedcb6088cb3dCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb617dd25ca176f3fee24f873f0fd60010773d67CVE reference, Linux
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00008.htmlCVE reference, CVE
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.