CVE-2025-39923: dmaengine: qcom: bam_dma: Fix DT error handling for num-channels/ees
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dmaengine: qcom: bam_dma: Fix DT error handling for num-channels/ees
When we don't have a clock specified in the device tree, we have no way to
ensure the BAM is on. This is often the case for remotely-controlled or
remotely-powered BAM instances. In this case, we need to read num-channels
from the DT to have all the necessary information to complete probing.
However, at the moment invalid device trees without clock and without
num-channels still continue probing, because the error handling is missing
return statements. The driver will then later try to read the number of
channels from the registers. This is unsafe, because it relies on boot
firmware and lucky timing to succeed. Unfortunately, the lack of proper
error handling here has been abused for several Qualcomm SoCs upstream,
causing early boot crashes in several situations [1, 2].
Avoid these early crashes by erroring out when any of the required DT
properties are missing. Note that this will break some of the existing DTs
upstream (mainly BAM instances related to the crypto engine). However,
clearly these DTs have never been tested properly, since the error in the
kernel log was just ignored. It's safer to disable the crypto engine for
these broken DTBs.
[1]: https://lore.kernel.org/r/CY01EKQVWE36.B9X5TDXAREPF@fairphone.com/
[2]: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20230626145959.646747-1-krzysztof.kozlowski@linaro.org/
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can make certain Qualcomm-based systems crash during early boot when their device tree is incomplete. The driver continues probing when required hardware description properties are missing, then may touch hardware registers unsafely. The evidence points to reliability and availability risk, not remote compromise.
Executive priority
Prioritize for Qualcomm-based embedded, mobile, or appliance fleets where a failed boot affects service availability. It is lower priority for conventional server fleets without this hardware. Treat as a platform stability fix unless vendor guidance adds stronger risk signals.
Technical view
The Qualcomm BAM DMA driver mishandles device-tree errors for required properties such as num-channels and ees when no clock is specified. Broken DTBs can let probing continue and later read channel data from registers, relying on firmware state and timing. The kernel fix fails probing when required properties are absent.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using Qualcomm SoCs with the qcom bam_dma driver and device trees missing required BAM properties. General Linux servers without this hardware path are unlikely to be affected.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation, public exploit code, or remote attackability. It documents upstream abuse of the missing checks causing early boot crashes on several Qualcomm SoCs.
Researcher notes
The available record lacks CVSS, CWE, and detailed package mapping. The affected-version data is broad and commit-based, so validation should use kernel commit presence and platform DTB review rather than product-name assumptions.
Mitigation direction
Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
Check vendor or distribution advisories for the exact fixed package version.
Audit affected Qualcomm device trees for required BAM properties.
Disable affected crypto-engine BAM instances if vendor guidance recommends it.
Avoid deploying untested DTBs on affected Qualcomm platforms.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernels on Qualcomm-based devices.
Confirm whether qcom bam_dma is built or loaded.
Review DTBs for BAM nodes lacking clock and required properties.
Check boot logs for BAM DMA probe errors or early crashes.
Verify the running kernel includes the relevant stable commit.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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The CVE record was published.
Oct 1, 2025, 08:07 UTC (UTC+00:00)
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