CVE-2025-37944 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's ath12k wireless driver, specifically within the function ath12k_dp_mon_srng_process. This function is responsible for processing entries from a destination ring buffer used in the Qualcomm ath12k Wi-Fi chipset driver. The vulnerability arises because the function incorrectly uses ath12k_hal_srng_src_get_next_entry, which is designed to fetch entries from source rings, rather than ath12k_hal_srng_dst_get_next_entry, which is the correct function for destination rings. Source and destination rings have different internal handling mechanisms, including pointer arithmetic and ring management. Using the source ring function on a destination ring leads to invalid entry fetches, which can cause memory corruption or crashes due to accessing incorrect memory locations. This flaw can result in data corruption or denial of service (system crashes) on affected systems. The issue was tested and confirmed on Qualcomm QCN9274 and WCN7850 hardware platforms. The fix involves replacing the incorrect function call with the appropriate destination ring fetch function, thereby preventing invalid memory access and ensuring stable operation of the wireless driver. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions containing the flawed commit identified by the hash d889913205cf7ebda905b1e62c5867ed4e39f6c2.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to systems using Linux kernels with the affected ath12k wireless driver versions, especially those deploying Qualcomm QCN9274 or WCN7850 Wi-Fi chipsets. The impact includes potential system instability, crashes, or data corruption related to wireless networking functionality. This can disrupt business operations relying on wireless connectivity, including critical infrastructure, enterprise networks, and IoT devices. Since the vulnerability can cause denial of service conditions, it may be exploited to degrade availability of network services. Although no remote code execution or privilege escalation is directly indicated, the instability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain. Organizations with extensive Linux deployments in networking equipment, embedded systems, or wireless-enabled devices should be particularly vigilant. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's presence in widely used open-source software means that attackers could develop exploits once the flaw is publicly known. Therefore, European entities should prioritize patching to maintain network reliability and security.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patches that replace the incorrect ath12k_hal_srng_src_get_next_entry call with ath12k_hal_srng_dst_get_next_entry in the ath12k_dp_mon_srng_process function. Monitor Linux kernel repositories and vendor advisories for updated stable releases containing this fix. 2. For organizations using custom or embedded Linux distributions, coordinate with vendors or internal development teams to integrate the patch promptly. 3. Conduct thorough testing of wireless functionality post-patching to ensure stability and performance are restored. 4. Implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual wireless network behavior or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Maintain up-to-date inventories of hardware using Qualcomm ath12k chipsets to prioritize patch deployment. 6. Employ robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous system crashes or memory corruption events related to wireless drivers. 7. Educate system administrators about the vulnerability and the importance of timely patching, especially in environments with critical wireless infrastructure.