CVE-2025-37847 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the accel/ivpu subsystem. The issue arises from a deadlock condition in the ivpu_ms_cleanup() function. This deadlock occurs because during a failure in the runtime resume process, a cold boot sequence is triggered, which calls ivpu_ms_cleanup_all(). This function, in turn, calls ivpu_ms_cleanup(), where the file_priv->ms_lock mutex is acquired. However, the runtime resume process also attempts to acquire this same lock, leading to a deadlock situation. The root cause is the lack of proper synchronization to prevent runtime resume from proceeding after the ms_lock is held, which causes the system to hang or become unresponsive. The vulnerability has been addressed by modifying the code to prevent runtime resume from occurring once the ms_lock is acquired, thereby eliminating the deadlock. This flaw affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash cdfad4db7756563db7d458216d9e3c2651dddc7d. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability impacts kernel stability and availability, particularly in systems utilizing the ivpu accelerator subsystem. Since the Linux kernel is widely used across various distributions and environments, this deadlock could affect a broad range of devices and servers, especially those relying on the affected subsystem for hardware acceleration tasks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-37847 lies in system availability and reliability. The deadlock can cause affected Linux systems to hang or become unresponsive during runtime resume operations, potentially leading to service outages or degraded performance. This is particularly critical for data centers, cloud providers, and enterprises running Linux-based infrastructure that utilize the ivpu accelerator hardware. Systems involved in real-time processing, industrial control, or embedded applications may experience operational disruptions. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, the availability impact can lead to downtime, affecting business continuity and service level agreements. Organizations in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services that rely heavily on Linux servers and embedded devices could face operational challenges if the vulnerability is exploited or triggered unintentionally. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the potential for deadlocks in production environments necessitates prompt attention to avoid unplanned outages.

To mitigate CVE-2025-37847, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the deadlock by preventing runtime resume after ms_lock acquisition. This requires updating to the patched kernel version or applying backported fixes from trusted Linux distribution vendors. 2) Conduct thorough testing of the updated kernel in staging environments to ensure compatibility and stability, especially for systems utilizing the ivpu accelerator subsystem. 3) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of deadlock or runtime resume failures related to ivpu components. 4) Implement robust system monitoring and automated recovery mechanisms to detect and remediate hung states caused by this deadlock. 5) Coordinate with hardware vendors to verify if firmware or driver updates are available that complement the kernel fix. 6) For critical systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider temporarily disabling the ivpu accelerator subsystem if it is not essential, to avoid triggering the deadlock. 7) Maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for handling kernel-level deadlocks and system hangs to minimize downtime.