CVE-2025-37942 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Human Interface Device (HID) subsystem's pidff driver, which handles force feedback devices. The issue arises from improper handling of the 'pool report' data structure, which is sometimes corrupted or inconsistent. Historically noted by researcher Anssi about 20 years ago, this problem manifests as an 'oops' (kernel crash) on certain devices such as the VRS DirectForce PRO. The root cause is that the kernel code attempts to access fields of the pool report without ensuring the data is freshly fetched and valid. The fix involves refetching the pool report before accessing its fields, replacing a potentially infinite while loop with a for loop, and adjusting exit conditions to prevent infinite looping scenarios. This correction reduces the risk of kernel crashes caused by invalid memory access or logic errors in the HID pidff driver. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date (May 20, 2025). No CVSS score is assigned yet, and no patch links are provided in the data, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and addressed in the kernel source.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-37942 primarily concerns systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable pidff driver enabled and using force feedback HID devices like gaming controllers or specialized input hardware (e.g., VRS DirectForce PRO). The vulnerability can cause kernel crashes (oops), leading to denial of service (DoS) conditions on affected systems. While this does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes can disrupt critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux for real-time or embedded applications involving HID devices. Industrial control systems, research labs, or multimedia production environments using such devices might experience operational interruptions. Since the vulnerability requires interaction with specific hardware and is not known to allow privilege escalation or remote code execution, the risk of widespread exploitation is limited. However, unplanned downtime and system instability can have cascading effects on business continuity and operational efficiency in sectors dependent on Linux-based systems with these peripherals.

European organizations should take the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Identify Linux systems using the pidff driver and assess whether force feedback HID devices like the VRS DirectForce PRO or similar hardware are in use. 2) Prioritize updating the Linux kernel to the fixed version containing the patch that refetches the pool report and corrects the loop logic. If immediate kernel upgrades are not feasible, consider disabling the pidff driver module temporarily to prevent triggering the vulnerability, noting this will disable force feedback functionality. 3) Implement monitoring for kernel oops or crash logs related to HID subsystems to detect potential exploitation or instability early. 4) For critical systems, conduct controlled testing of the updated kernel to ensure compatibility with existing hardware and software stacks. 5) Maintain an inventory of HID devices and enforce strict device usage policies to limit exposure to vulnerable peripherals. 6) Engage with Linux distribution vendors or security mailing lists to receive timely patches and advisories related to this vulnerability.