CVE-2025-37981 scsi: smartpqi: Use is_kdump_kernel() to check for kdump
A flaw in the Linux kernel smartpqi driver causes memory corruption during kexec reboots, potentially leading to system instability or crashes.
- 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-2025-37981?
CVE-2025-37981 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 20 May 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:
scsi: smartpqi: Use is_kdump_kernel() to check for kdump
The smartpqi driver checks the reset_devices variable to determine whether special adjustments need to be made for kdump. This has the effect that after a regular kexec reboot, some driver parameters such as max_transfer_size are much lower than usual. More importantly, kexec reboot tests have revealed memory corruption caused by the driver log being written to system memory after a kexec.
Fix this by testing is_kdump_kernel() rather than reset_devices where appropriate.
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-37981?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-37981?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2025-37981 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-37981 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-37981, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-37981, GHSA-mxpf-w6j6-89w2, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-37981.