CVE-2025-22016 dpll: fix xa_alloc_cyclic() error handling
A flaw in the Linux kernel's dpll subsystem allows a null pointer dereference due to incorrect error handling, potentially causing a system crash.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-22016?
CVE-2025-22016 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 8 Apr 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dpll: fix xa_alloc_cyclic() error handling
In case of returning 1 from xa_alloc_cyclic() (wrapping) ERR_PTR(1) will be returned, which will cause IS_ERR() to be false. Which can lead to dereference not allocated pointer (pin).
Fix it by checking if err is lower than zero.
This wasn't found in real usecase, only noticed. Credit to Pierre.
Weakness: CWE-476
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-22016?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-22016?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-22016 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-22016 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-22016, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-22016, GHSA-89vx-7m9v-cf88, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2025-22016, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-22016.