CVE-2025-38440: Linux kernel · net/mlx5e: Fix race between DIM disable and net_dim()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1, 6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1, 6.14.0-1016.16 +2
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Jul 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.8.0-136.136?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.8.0-1060.63?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.8.0-1062.69?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix involves synchronizing network callbacks before freeing DIM contexts to prevent the race condition. Users should update to Linux kernel versions 6.14.0-1016.16 or later, or the corresponding patched versions for their distributions. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver was fixed. The issue involves a race between disabling Dynamic Interrupt Moderation (DIM) and NAPI callbacks, which can lead to a NULL pointer dereference in the net_dim() function, causing a kernel panic. This flaw affects multiple Linux kernel versions and has been addressed by ensuring synchronization before freeing the DIM context.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38440 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38440 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/eb41a264a3a576dc040ee37c3d9d6b7e2d9be968 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2bc6fb90486e42dd80e660ef7a40c02b2516c6d6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7581afc051542e11ccf3ade68acd01b7fb1a3cde (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb41a264a3a576dc040ee37c3d9d6b7e2d9be968 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7880-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7879-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7934-1 (opens in a new tab)