CVE-2025-37801 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) driver for i.MX processors, known as spi-imx. The issue arises due to the lack of proper error handling in the function spi_imx_setupxfer(). When this function returns an error, the pointers spi_imx->rx and spi_imx->tx, which are function pointers used for receiving and transmitting data respectively, can be NULL. Subsequent dereferencing of these NULL pointers leads to a kernel NULL pointer dereference, causing a kernel panic or system crash. The call trace provided indicates that the fault occurs during SPI data transfer operations, specifically in spi_imx_pio_transfer and related functions. This vulnerability can result in a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the kernel, affecting system availability. The root cause is a missing check for the return value of spi_imx_setupxfer(), which should prevent the use of invalid function pointers. The vulnerability has been addressed by adding this check to ensure that the function pointers are only used if the setup function succeeds. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The affected versions are identified by specific git commit hashes, indicating that this is a recent and targeted fix in the Linux kernel source code.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-37801 is the potential for denial of service due to kernel crashes on systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel with the spi-imx driver in use. This is particularly relevant for organizations utilizing embedded Linux systems or industrial control systems based on i.MX processors, which are common in sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications, and IoT deployments. A kernel crash can lead to system downtime, loss of availability, and potential disruption of critical services. Although this vulnerability does not directly lead to privilege escalation or data breach, the resulting instability can affect operational continuity and safety-critical applications. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent potential future exploitation. The impact is more pronounced in environments where SPI communication is essential for device operation, such as embedded devices controlling sensors, actuators, or communication peripherals.

To mitigate CVE-2025-37801, European organizations should: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel patches that include the fix for spi_imx_setupxfer() error handling as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distributions. 2) For embedded or industrial systems where kernel updates are challenging, consider isolating or disabling SPI interfaces if not required, or implement watchdog mechanisms to automatically recover from kernel panics. 3) Conduct an inventory of devices using i.MX processors with the spi-imx driver to assess exposure. 4) Implement robust monitoring to detect kernel crashes or system reboots indicative of this vulnerability being triggered. 5) Collaborate with hardware and software vendors to ensure timely updates and support for affected devices. 6) For critical infrastructure, establish fallback or redundancy mechanisms to maintain service continuity during potential outages caused by this vulnerability.