CVE-2025-37965 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem for AMD display drivers. The issue arises from improper memory allocation practices in the function populate_dml_plane_cfg_from_plane_state(), which uses the GFP_KERNEL flag for memory allocation. This flag is inappropriate in atomic contexts where sleeping is disallowed, leading to a "BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context" error. The root cause is that the function attempts to allocate memory dynamically in a context that does not permit sleeping, which can cause kernel instability or crashes. The vulnerability was addressed by modifying helper functions to pass pointers to scaler_data within the existing context, thereby eliminating the need for dynamic memory allocation and deallocation during atomic operations. This fix prevents the kernel from invoking sleeping functions in invalid contexts, enhancing stability and security. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by their commit hashes, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The flaw is technical and relates to kernel memory management and context handling in the AMD DRM display driver, which is critical for graphical output on systems using AMD GPUs.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-37965 primarily concerns systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with AMD GPU hardware utilizing the DRM subsystem. Potential impacts include kernel panics or system crashes due to improper memory allocation in atomic contexts, which can lead to denial of service (DoS) conditions. This could disrupt critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux servers or workstations with AMD graphics hardware for graphical processing or display tasks. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or remote code execution, the resulting instability could affect availability and operational continuity. Organizations in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, research, and public administration that depend on Linux-based infrastructure may experience service interruptions or degraded performance. Additionally, the lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to potential future exploitation or accidental crashes triggered by normal operations involving the affected driver code.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to versions that include the patch for CVE-2025-37965. Specifically, they should track kernel updates from their Linux distribution vendors that incorporate the fix described (commit bd3e84bc98f81b44f2c43936bdadc3241d654259). System administrators should audit their environments to identify systems running affected kernel versions and AMD GPU hardware using the DRM subsystem. Where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations can consider temporarily disabling or limiting the use of AMD DRM drivers if possible, or isolating affected systems to reduce impact. Monitoring kernel logs for the specific 'BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context' error can help detect attempts to trigger the vulnerability or system instability. Additionally, organizations should maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate potential service disruptions. Coordination with Linux distribution maintainers and AMD for timely updates and advisories is recommended to ensure ongoing protection.