CVE-2025-38272: Linux kernel · net: dsa: b53: do not enable EEE on bcm63xx
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.14.0-1013.13~24.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.14.0-1013.13~24.04.1, 6.14.0-1007.7, 6.14.0-1016.17~24.04.1 +3
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 10 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@6.17.0-1017.17?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@6.14.0-1013.13~24.04.1?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@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. The fix ensures that EEE is only enabled on switches that support it, preventing system hangs. Users should update to fixed kernel versions as listed in the vendor advisory. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's net: dsa: b53 driver for bcm63xx internal switches could cause system hangs when Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) is incorrectly enabled on unsupported hardware. The issue arises because bcm63xx switches do not support EEE, but external PHYs connected to RGMII ports might be EEE capable, leading to attempts to enable EEE on the MACs and subsequent system hangs. This has been fixed by adding a check to ensure the switch supports EEE before configuration.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-38272 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-38272 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/1237c2d4a8db79dfd4369bff6930b0e385ed7d5c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1237c2d4a8db79dfd4369bff6930b0e385ed7d5c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dbccf1eb8c04b84ee3afdb1d6b787db02e7befc (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7769-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7770-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7771-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7769-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7769-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7789-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7789-2 (opens in a new tab)