CVE-2025-38253 HID: wacom: fix crash in wacom_aes_battery_handler()
A missing work cancellation in the Linux kernel Wacom HID driver causes a system crash when a device is removed while a delayed battery handler is pending.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-38253?
CVE-2025-38253 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 9 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:
HID: wacom: fix crash in wacom_aes_battery_handler()
Commit fd2a9b29dc9c ("HID: wacom: Remove AES power_supply after extended inactivity") introduced wacom_aes_battery_handler() which is scheduled as a delayed work (aes_battery_work).
In wacom_remove(), aes_battery_work is not canceled. Consequently, if the device is removed while aes_battery_work is still pending, then hard crashes or "Oops: general protection fault..." are experienced when wacom_aes_battery_handler() is finally called. E.g., this happens with built-in USB devices after resume from hibernate when aes_battery_work was still pending at the time of hibernation.
So, take care to cancel aes_battery_work in wacom_remove().
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-38253?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-38253?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-38253 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-38253 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-38253, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-38253, GHSA-x2m7-qhj2-gp6r, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2025-38253, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-38253.