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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38513: wifi: zd1211rw: Fix potential NULL pointer dereference in zd_mac_tx_to_dev()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: zd1211rw: Fix potential NULL pointer dereference in zd_mac_tx_to_dev() There is a potential NULL pointer dereference in zd_mac_tx_to_dev(). For example, the following is possible: T0 T1 zd_mac_tx_to_dev() /* len == skb_queue_len(q) */ while (len > ZD_MAC_MAX_ACK_WAITERS) { filter_ack() spin_lock_irqsave(&q->lock, flags); /* position == skb_queue_len(q) */ for (i=1; i<position; i++) skb = __skb_dequeue(q) if (mac->type == NL80211_IFTYPE_AP) skb = __skb_dequeue(q); spin_unlock_irqrestore(&q->lock, flags); skb_dequeue() -> NULL Since there is a small gap between checking skb queue length and skb being unconditionally dequeued in zd_mac_tx_to_dev(), skb_dequeue() can return NULL. Then the pointer is passed to zd_mac_tx_status() where it is dereferenced. In order to avoid potential NULL pointer dereference due to situations like above, check if skb is not NULL before passing it to zd_mac_tx_status(). Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel Wi-Fi driver bug that can dereference a missing packet buffer after a queue race. The public data does not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitation, or a complete impact statement. Treat it mainly as a stability and availability concern for systems that include and use the zd1211rw wireless driver.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel patch management unless zd1211rw wireless hardware is business-critical or widely deployed. There is no cited active exploitation, but kernel NULL dereferences can cause service disruption and should not be ignored.

Technical view

In zd_mac_tx_to_dev(), queue length is checked before skb_dequeue() is called. A concurrent filter_ack() path can drain the queue, causing skb_dequeue() to return NULL. The NULL skb is then passed to zd_mac_tx_status(), where it can be dereferenced. The kernel fix adds a NULL check before calling zd_mac_tx_status().

Likely exposure

Most relevant exposure is Linux systems running affected kernel builds with the zd1211rw Wi-Fi driver present and in use. The bundle lists Linux as affected and provides multiple stable kernel fix references, but it does not define vulnerable distributions beyond Debian LTS advisories.

Exploitation context

The source describes a race condition and potential NULL pointer dereference. CISA KEV status is false, and the bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation, public exploit code, remote reachability, or privilege requirements.

Researcher notes

Evidence is strongest for root cause and fix direction, not exploitability. The race involves skb queue handling between zd_mac_tx_to_dev() and filter_ack(). No CVSS, CWE, attack vector, or confirmed impact beyond potential NULL pointer dereference is supplied.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize assets using the zd1211rw wireless driver or affected Debian LTS kernels.
  • If patch timing is unclear, monitor Linux and distribution advisories for exact fixed packages.
  • Consider disabling unused zd1211rw hardware support where operationally feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and whether the zd1211rw driver is installed or loaded.
  • Map kernel packages against vendor advisories and stable fix commit references.
  • Confirm Debian LTS systems received the relevant October 2025 kernel security updates.
  • Review crash telemetry for NULL dereference patterns in zd1211rw paths.
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-2025-38513 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
11Source links

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
LinuxLinux459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09d, 459c51ad6e1fc19e91a53798358433d3c08cd09dunaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.25, 0, 5.4.296, 5.10.240, 5.15.189, 6.1.146, 6.6.99, 6.12.39, 6.15.7, 6.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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