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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38605: wifi: ath12k: Pass ab pointer directly to ath12k_dp_tx_get_encap_type()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: Pass ab pointer directly to ath12k_dp_tx_get_encap_type() In ath12k_dp_tx_get_encap_type(), the arvif parameter is only used to retrieve the ab pointer. In vdev delete sequence the arvif->ar could become NULL and that would trigger kernel panic. Since the caller ath12k_dp_tx() already has a valid ab pointer, pass it directly to avoid panic and unnecessary dereferencing. PC points to "ath12k_dp_tx+0x228/0x988 [ath12k]" LR points to "ath12k_dp_tx+0xc8/0x988 [ath12k]". The Backtrace obtained is as follows: ath12k_dp_tx+0x228/0x988 [ath12k] ath12k_mac_tx_check_max_limit+0x608/0x920 [ath12k] ieee80211_process_measurement_req+0x320/0x348 [mac80211] ieee80211_tx_dequeue+0x9ac/0x1518 [mac80211] ieee80211_tx_dequeue+0xb14/0x1518 [mac80211] ieee80211_tx_prepare_skb+0x224/0x254 [mac80211] ieee80211_xmit+0xec/0x100 [mac80211] __ieee80211_subif_start_xmit+0xc50/0xf40 [mac80211] ieee80211_subif_start_xmit+0x2e8/0x308 [mac80211] netdev_start_xmit+0x150/0x18c dev_hard_start_xmit+0x74/0xc0 Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.3.1-00173-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-38605 is a Linux kernel crash bug in the ath12k Wi-Fi driver. During a virtual device deletion sequence, the driver can dereference a pointer that has become NULL, causing a kernel panic. The public record does not provide CVSS, CWE, or confirmed exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted availability risk, not a broadly proven compromise path. Patch normal Linux maintenance windows, accelerating for wireless infrastructure, embedded devices, or systems where a kernel panic would disrupt operations.

Technical view

The fix changes ath12k_dp_tx_get_encap_type() to receive an existing valid ab pointer directly instead of retrieving it through arvif. In the vdev delete path, arvif->ar can become NULL, and dereferencing it can panic the kernel. The reported stack involves ath12k, mac80211 transmit processing, and ieee80211 measurement request handling.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using the ath12k Wi-Fi driver, with testing noted on QCN9274 hardware. The source lists Linux as affected but does not provide enough detail here to safely define exact vulnerable version ranges or downstream distro package status.

Exploitation context

The sources do not report active exploitation, public exploit code, or CISA KEV listing. The impact described is kernel panic, so the practical concern is denial of service on affected systems. The source bundle does not prove remote reachability or attacker prerequisites.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse but points to a NULL pointer dereference in ath12k transmit handling during vdev deletion. Avoid assuming broader products or exploitability beyond Linux ath12k. The provided record has no CVSS, CWE, or detailed affected range semantics.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a kernel update containing the referenced stable ath12k fixes.
  • Check Linux vendor or distribution advisories for supported patched packages.
  • Prioritize systems using ath12k Wi-Fi hardware or QCN9274-class devices.
  • If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for any supported workaround.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems that load or depend on the ath12k driver.
  • Check kernel package changelogs for CVE-2025-38605 or the referenced commits.
  • Review crash logs for ath12k-related kernel panics during Wi-Fi device teardown.
  • Confirm vendor advisories before declaring non-upstream kernels unaffected.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

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

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.

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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
0ADP providers
4Source 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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxe93bbd65547ea8073b707c9034c3f051f8018614, e93bbd65547ea8073b707c9034c3f051f8018614, e93bbd65547ea8073b707c9034c3f051f8018614unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 6.15.10, 6.16.1, 6.17affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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