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CVE Record

CVE-2025-38632: pinmux: fix race causing mux_owner NULL with active mux_usecount

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pinmux: fix race causing mux_owner NULL with active mux_usecount commit 5a3e85c3c397 ("pinmux: Use sequential access to access desc->pinmux data") tried to address the issue when two client of the same gpio calls pinctrl_select_state() for the same functionality, was resulting in NULL pointer issue while accessing desc->mux_owner. However, issue was not completely fixed due to the way it was handled and it can still result in the same NULL pointer. The issue occurs due to the following interleaving: cpu0 (process A) cpu1 (process B) pin_request() { pin_free() { mutex_lock() desc->mux_usecount--; //becomes 0 .. mutex_unlock() mutex_lock(desc->mux) desc->mux_usecount++; // becomes 1 desc->mux_owner = owner; mutex_unlock(desc->mux) mutex_lock(desc->mux) desc->mux_owner = NULL; mutex_unlock(desc->mux) This sequence leads to a state where the pin appears to be in use (`mux_usecount == 1`) but has no owner (`mux_owner == NULL`), which can cause NULL pointer on next pin_request on the same pin. Ensure that updates to mux_usecount and mux_owner are performed atomically under the same lock. Only clear mux_owner when mux_usecount reaches zero and no new owner has been assigned.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-38632 is a Linux kernel race condition in pinmux handling. In rare timing conditions, the kernel can think a pin is in use while its owner is unset, causing a NULL pointer fault on later use. The public record does not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitation, or broad product impact details.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel stability risk, not a confirmed internet-scale emergency. Prioritize patch validation for Linux-based appliances, embedded platforms, and systems where GPIO or pin control is operationally important. Business urgency depends on whether affected kernel builds are present.

Technical view

The flaw is in Linux kernel pinmux state updates. mux_usecount and mux_owner could be changed under separate locking, allowing mux_usecount to become active while mux_owner is NULL. A later pin_request on the same pin may dereference that NULL owner. The fix makes those updates atomic under the same lock.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using affected kernel builds and pinctrl, pinmux, or GPIO functionality. The source lists Linux as affected but provides no CPEs, distro mapping, or device-specific product list. Validate against vendor kernel packages and the referenced stable commits.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is stated in the provided sources, and KEV is false. The described failure mode is a kernel NULL pointer issue triggered by a race. The bundle does not establish remote reachability, privilege requirements, exploit reliability, or real-world attacks.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a concurrency bug in pinmux ownership accounting. The key validation point is whether mux_usecount and mux_owner updates are protected by the same lock in the deployed kernel. Public data lacks CVSS, CWE, CPEs, exploit status, and distro-specific package names.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution or device vendor advisories for backported fixes.
  • Prioritize systems that actively use GPIO, pinctrl, or pinmux drivers.
  • Plan maintenance windows for appliances or embedded Linux devices.
  • Avoid claiming remediation complete until the fix commit is confirmed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions across Linux fleets and embedded devices.
  • Compare vendor kernel changelogs against the referenced stable commits.
  • Identify systems using pinctrl, pinmux, or GPIO-related drivers.
  • Review crash logs for NULL pointer faults in pinmux paths.
  • Track vendor advisories for corrected package versions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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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CVE-2025-38632 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
0ADP providers
6Source 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.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux2da32aed4a97ca1d70fb8b77926f72f30ce5fb4b, c11e2ec9a780f54982a187ee10ffd1b810715c85, 5a3e85c3c397c781393ea5fb2f45b1f60f8a4e6e, 5a3e85c3c397c781393ea5fb2f45b1f60f8a4e6e, 5a3e85c3c397c781393ea5fb2f45b1f60f8a4e6e, 6.6.66, 6.12.5unaffected
LinuxLinux6.13, 0, 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.