Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux audio-driver configuration array lacks a required ending marker. Another amplifier driver may read beyond the array into unintended memory, causing a kernel fault and potentially exposing or altering data. Exploitation requires local access, but the supplied CVSS rates confidentiality and availability impact high.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for multi-user systems or devices where untrusted users can obtain local access and the relevant audio hardware is present. Treat as a scheduled high-priority kernel update, escalating if vendors confirm exposure. The current evidence does not support emergency, internet-wide response or claims of active exploitation.
Technical view
The cs42l43 SPI driver creates a software-node property array without null termination. Because no entry count is supplied, downstream cs35l56 parsing can walk beyond the array into unknown memory. The supplied CVSS 3.1 score is 7.3: local, low-complexity, low-privilege exploitation without user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems combining an affected kernel build with the relevant cs42l43 and downstream cs35l56 audio-driver path. The bundle lists affected version markers including 6.11, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1, and 6.17, but does not provide sufficiently clear ranges for reliable inventory matching.
Exploitation context
The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector requires local, low-privileged access. Practical reachability also appears dependent on the relevant audio-driver and hardware configuration; the supplied evidence does not establish exploit reliability or observed attacks.
Researcher notes
The core defect is an unterminated property-entry array consumed without an explicit count, permitting an out-of-bounds walk. Four stable-kernel commits are cited as resolution references. Precise affected and fixed ranges, architecture applicability, exploitability details, and root-cause CWE classification are not established by the supplied bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix commit.
- Check distribution or device-vendor advisories for exact fixed package versions.
- Prioritize systems exposing the relevant cs42l43 and cs35l56 driver path.
- Restrict local account access until affected systems are updated.
Validation and detection
- Record running kernel and vendor package versions on potentially affected systems.
- Confirm whether cs42l43 and cs35l56 drivers and corresponding hardware are present.
- Verify the installed kernel includes an applicable referenced stable commit.
- Review kernel logs for audio-driver faults; logs alone cannot prove exploitation.
Public sources used
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
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CVE-2025-38573 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/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:L/A:H1.85.5LinuxVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/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.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/674328102baad76c7a06628efc01974ece5ae27fCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f0035ae38d2571f5ddedc829d74492013caa625CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/139b5df757a0aa436f763b0038e0b73808d2f4b6CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ffcfd071eec7973e58c4ffff7da4cb0e9ca7b667CVE reference, Linux
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.