CVE-2025-38167 fs/ntfs3: handle hdr_first_de() return value
A missing null check in the Linux kernel NTFS3 driver can cause a crash when handling directory entries, leading to denial of service.
- 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-2025-38167?
CVE-2025-38167 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 3 Jul 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:
fs/ntfs3: handle hdr_first_de() return value
The hdr_first_de() function returns a pointer to a struct NTFS_DE. This pointer may be NULL. To handle the NULL error effectively, it is important to implement an error handler. This will help manage potential errors consistently.
Additionally, error handling for the return value already exists at other points where this function is called.
Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
Weakness: CWE-476
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-38167?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Debian Debian Linux, Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38167?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-38167 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-38167 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux
Sources
Also known as AZL-64634, BELL-CVE-2025-38167, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38167, GHSA-7qr6-7j77-6prp, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2025-38167, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2025-38167 and 2 more.