CVE-2025-38198

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbcon: Make sure modelist not set on unregistered console It looks like attempting to write to the "store_modes" sysfs node will run afoul of unregistered consoles: UBSAN: array-index-out-of-bounds in drivers/video/fbdev/core/fbcon.c:122:28 index -1 is out of range for type 'fb_info *[32]' ... fbcon_info_from_console+0x192/0x1a0 drivers/video/fbdev/core/fbcon.c:122 fbcon_new_modelist+0xbf/0x2d0 drivers/video/fbdev/core/fbcon.c:3048 fb_new_modelist+0x328/0x440 drivers/video/fbdev/core/fbmem.c:673 store_modes+0x1c9/0x3e0 drivers/video/fbdev/core/fbsysfs.c:113 dev_attr_store+0x55/0x80 drivers/base/core.c:2439 static struct fb_info *fbcon_registered_fb[FB_MAX]; ... static signed char con2fb_map[MAX_NR_CONSOLES]; ... static struct fb_info *fbcon_info_from_console(int console) ... return fbcon_registered_fb[con2fb_map[console]]; If con2fb_map contains a -1 things go wrong here. Instead, return NULL, as callers of fbcon_info_from_console() are trying to compare against existing "info" pointers, so error handling should kick in correctly.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2025-07-04 14:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-05 21:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-07-04 14:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-05 21:18 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-129

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 6.1.142
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.95
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.35
• Linux Kernel < 6.15.4
• Debian Linux 11.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2025-38198.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-38198. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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