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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38478: comedi: Fix initialization of data for instructions that write to subdevice

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: comedi: Fix initialization of data for instructions that write to subdevice Some Comedi subdevice instruction handlers are known to access instruction data elements beyond the first `insn->n` elements in some cases. The `do_insn_ioctl()` and `do_insnlist_ioctl()` functions allocate at least `MIN_SAMPLES` (16) data elements to deal with this, but they do not initialize all of that. For Comedi instruction codes that write to the subdevice, the first `insn->n` data elements are copied from user-space, but the remaining elements are left uninitialized. That could be a problem if the subdevice instruction handler reads the uninitialized data. Ensure that the first `MIN_SAMPLES` elements are initialized before calling these instruction handlers, filling the uncopied elements with 0. For `do_insnlist_ioctl()`, the same data buffer elements are used for handling a list of instructions, so ensure the first `MIN_SAMPLES` elements are initialized for each instruction that writes to the subdevice.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in the Linux Comedi subsystem can expose uninitialized kernel data to certain device instruction handlers. A local, low-privileged user may be able to trigger serious confidentiality, integrity, or availability effects. Risk is concentrated on systems using Comedi-supported data-acquisition hardware, not ordinary remote-facing services.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority local kernel issue on scientific, industrial, laboratory, or control systems that actually use Comedi. Patch those systems promptly after operational testing. For systems without Comedi exposure, validate applicability before emergency action; the supplied evidence does not indicate a remotely exploitable or actively exploited threat.

Technical view

Comedi ioctl paths allocate at least 16 data elements, but previously initialized only the elements copied from user space. Some write-instruction handlers may read beyond that copied portion. The stable fixes zero the first 16 elements before each applicable instruction, including every instruction processed through an instruction list.

Likely exposure

Potentially affected Linux systems must have the vulnerable Comedi code and a reachable Comedi device interface. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges according to CVSS. The supplied version data identifies affected kernel branches and stable fixes, but does not establish which deployed distribution builds remain vulnerable.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is established: the bundle marks KEV false and provides no cited evidence of exploitation in the wild or public weaponization. The 7.8 CVSS rating reflects potentially high impact with local, low-privileged access, low complexity, and no user interaction.

Researcher notes

The defect is an initialization failure in do_insn_ioctl() and do_insnlist_ioctl(). Its practical impact depends on the behavior of individual subdevice handlers reading beyond insn->n. The bundle provides fixes across stable branches but no demonstrated exploit path, affected handler inventory, CWE assignment, or distribution-wide package mapping.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a distribution kernel containing the applicable upstream stable fix.
  • Consult the Linux distributor advisory to map package versions to fixed kernels.
  • Prioritize hosts where Comedi devices or drivers are actively used.
  • If updates are delayed, restrict untrusted local access under documented vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel and distribution package versions on systems using Comedi.
  • Confirm the installed package includes the relevant upstream stable commit.
  • Identify whether Comedi drivers and device interfaces are present and accessible.
  • Retest normal data-acquisition operations after applying the updated kernel.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for corrected version mappings or additional guidance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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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CVE-2025-38478 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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
1ADP providers
11Source links

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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-38478Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4, ed9eccbe8970f6eedc1b978c157caf1251a896d4unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.29, 0, 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.147, 6.6.100, 6.12.40, 6.15.8, 6.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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