CVE-2025-37829 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's CPU frequency scaling subsystem, specifically within the cpufreq driver for SCPI (System Control and Power Interface). The issue arises in the function scpi_cpufreq_get_rate(), which fails to properly handle a NULL pointer dereference scenario. The root cause is that the helper function cpufreq_cpu_get_raw() can return NULL if the target CPU is not present in the policy->cpus mask, but scpi_cpufreq_get_rate() does not check for this condition before dereferencing the pointer. This leads to a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability, which can cause the kernel to crash (kernel panic) or potentially be exploited to escalate privileges or disrupt system availability. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel as indicated by the repeated commit hash references, and was publicly disclosed on May 8, 2025. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is categorized as a denial-of-service or stability-impacting flaw due to the kernel crash potential, but depending on the context, it might be leveraged for privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The vulnerability requires that the kernel code path involving CPU frequency scaling is triggered, which typically happens on systems using SCPI for power management, commonly found in ARM-based platforms and some embedded or mobile devices running Linux.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-37829 depends largely on the deployment of affected Linux kernel versions and the usage of SCPI-based CPU frequency scaling. Organizations running Linux on ARM architectures, embedded systems, or specialized hardware that utilize SCPI for power management are at risk. A successful exploitation could lead to system crashes, causing denial of service and potential disruption of critical services. In environments such as telecommunications, industrial control systems, or IoT deployments prevalent in Europe, this could result in operational downtime and loss of availability. Although no known exploits exist yet, the vulnerability could be weaponized by attackers to disrupt services or as part of a multi-stage attack chain. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are less direct but cannot be ruled out if attackers leverage this flaw alongside other vulnerabilities. Given the widespread use of Linux in European data centers, cloud infrastructure, and embedded devices, the vulnerability poses a moderate risk, especially to sectors relying on ARM-based Linux systems or custom kernel builds with SCPI support.

To mitigate CVE-2025-37829, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the NULL pointer dereference in scpi_cpufreq_get_rate() as soon as they become available from trusted Linux distributions or kernel maintainers. 2) Audit and inventory Linux systems to identify those running affected kernel versions and using SCPI-based CPU frequency scaling, prioritizing ARM and embedded platforms. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling CPU frequency scaling or SCPI support temporarily if this does not impact critical operations. 4) Implement robust monitoring for kernel panics or unusual system crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Control Flow Integrity (CFI) to reduce exploitation likelihood. 6) Maintain strict access controls and limit user privileges to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 7) Stay informed through Linux kernel security advisories and update incident response plans to include this vulnerability.