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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38630: fbdev: imxfb: Check fb_add_videomode to prevent null-ptr-deref

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: imxfb: Check fb_add_videomode to prevent null-ptr-deref fb_add_videomode() can fail with -ENOMEM when its internal kmalloc() cannot allocate a struct fb_modelist. If that happens, the modelist stays empty but the driver continues to register. Add a check for its return value to prevent poteintial null-ptr-deref, which is similar to the commit 17186f1f90d3 ("fbdev: Fix do_register_framebuffer to prevent null-ptr-deref in fb_videomode_to_var").

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can lead to a kernel crash when the imxfb framebuffer driver mishandles a failed memory allocation. The public record does not provide CVSS scoring or evidence of active exploitation. Business urgency is highest for Linux systems that use this driver, especially embedded or appliance-style deployments where kernel crashes affect availability.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk, not a broad emergency. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, but accelerate for systems relying on imxfb where a crash could disrupt production, devices, or customer-facing services.

Technical view

In fbdev imxfb, fb_add_videomode() can return -ENOMEM. If unchecked, the driver may continue registration with an empty modelist, creating a potential null-pointer dereference path similar to a prior framebuffer registration fix. Kernel stable commits add return-value handling to prevent the unsafe registration path.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux kernels that include and use the imxfb framebuffer driver. Systems not using this driver are less likely to be affected. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions as affected but does not provide a clear product-by-product distribution matrix.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing is present, and the supplied sources do not claim active exploitation. The issue depends on a failed internal memory allocation, so the most supported impact is local system instability or denial of service rather than confirmed code execution.

Researcher notes

The public data lacks CVSS, CWE, and exploit details. The vulnerability is tied to error handling around fb_add_videomode() returning -ENOMEM. Analysis should focus on affected kernel branches, driver configuration, and whether downstream vendor kernels have backported the stable commits.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Debian LTS users should review and apply the cited Debian advisory updates.
  • Prioritize systems where imxfb or fbdev support is enabled or required.
  • If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for unused driver reduction.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems and kernel versions.
  • Check whether the imxfb framebuffer driver is built, loaded, or required.
  • Confirm the running kernel includes a referenced stable fix commit.
  • Review vendor advisories for distribution-specific fixed packages.
  • Monitor kernel logs for framebuffer null-pointer dereference crashes.
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-2025-38630 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
LinuxLinux1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0c, 1b6c79361ba5ce30b40f0f7d6fc2421dc5fcbe0cunaffected
LinuxLinux3.11, 0, 5.4.297, 5.10.241, 5.15.190, 6.1.148, 6.6.102, 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1, 6.17affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.