CVE-2025-39838: Linux kernel · cifs: prevent NULL pointer dereference in UTF16 conversion
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 5% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1 +26
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 19 Sep 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@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.8.0-106.106?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.8.0-1050.53?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14@6.14.0-1018.18~24.04.1?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.8.0-1051.57?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11@6.11.0-1018.18~24.04.1?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 to prevent the NULL pointer dereference. The vendor advisory confirms that this issue has been fixed in updated kernel releases. Users should update their Linux kernel to a fixed version as provided by their distribution.
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CIFS module was identified and resolved. The flaw occurs during UTF16 conversion when a NULL pointer is passed unchecked, leading to a crash. This issue was fixed by adding a NULL check to prevent dereferencing. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a medium severity score. A patch is available to address this issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-39838 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-39838 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/70bccd9855dae56942f2b18a08ba137bb54093a0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1cfa5dd05847137f0fb3ce74ced80c0b4858d716 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1f797f062b5cf13a1c2bcc23285361baaa7c9260 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c26a8d30ed6b53a52a023ec537dc50a6d34a67a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/65b98a7e65e7a8f3894d8760cd194eaf20504c99 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/70bccd9855dae56942f2b18a08ba137bb54093a0 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8100-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8125-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8126-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8165-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8261-1 (opens in a new tab)