CVE-2025-40114 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel related to the Industrial I/O (IIO) subsystem, specifically the light sensor driver for the VEML6075 sensor. The issue arises from an out-of-bounds read in the function veml6075_read_int_time_ms. The driver maintains an array veml6075_it_ms with only 5 elements, but the index used to access this array, calculated by veml6075_read_int_time_index, can range from 0 to 7. This discrepancy allows for potential out-of-bounds memory access when the index exceeds the array bounds, leading to a read beyond the allocated memory. The vulnerability was detected through static analysis (Coverity CID 1574309) and is considered a hardening fix against potentially broken or misbehaving hardware. The patch adds a boundary check to ensure the index does not exceed the array size, preventing the out-of-bounds read. The vulnerability does not appear to have been exploited in the wild and is not deemed critical enough to require backporting to older kernel versions. This suggests the issue is more of a robustness and stability concern rather than a direct security exploit vector. However, out-of-bounds reads can sometimes lead to information disclosure or cause kernel crashes, potentially impacting system stability or security depending on the context of use. The affected versions are identified by specific kernel commit hashes, indicating the issue is tied to certain Linux kernel source states rather than broad version numbers. No CVSS score has been assigned, and no known exploits exist at this time.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-40114 is likely limited but not negligible. The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's handling of a specific light sensor driver, which is typically used in embedded systems, IoT devices, or specialized hardware running Linux. Organizations relying on Linux-based embedded devices, industrial control systems, or sensor-equipped hardware could experience stability issues or unexpected kernel behavior if the vulnerable driver is in use. While the vulnerability does not currently have known exploits, an out-of-bounds read could potentially be leveraged for information disclosure or denial of service if an attacker has local access or can interact with the sensor hardware. This risk is heightened in environments where sensor data integrity and system uptime are critical, such as manufacturing, healthcare, or critical infrastructure sectors prevalent in Europe. However, since the vulnerability is described as a hardening fix against broken hardware and not a direct exploit vector, the overall security risk is moderate. The Linux kernel is widely used across Europe in servers, desktops, and embedded devices, so the scope is broad, but the specific driver affected limits the practical impact to systems with this sensor or similar hardware configurations.

European organizations should ensure that Linux kernel versions deployed on devices with VEML6075 or similar light sensors are updated to include the patch that adds the boundary check in veml6075_read_int_time_ms. This involves applying the latest stable Linux kernel updates or vendor-provided patches that address CVE-2025-40114. For embedded and IoT devices, firmware updates incorporating the patched kernel should be prioritized. Organizations should audit their hardware inventory to identify devices using the affected sensor driver and verify kernel versions. Additionally, implementing strict access controls to limit local or remote access to sensor interfaces can reduce the risk of exploitation. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual behavior or crashes related to the IIO subsystem may help detect attempts to trigger the vulnerability. Since the vulnerability is not known to be exploited in the wild, proactive patch management and hardware validation remain the best defenses. Vendors producing Linux-based devices should incorporate this fix in their product updates and communicate the importance of applying it to customers.