Linux Kernel ALSA Component Pointer Issue

CVE-2025-40097

What is CVE-2025-40097?

A pointer dereference vulnerability was identified in the Linux kernel's ALSA subsystem. Specifically, within the hda_component_manager_init function, a pointer may be assigned an error value using ERR_PTR(-ENOMEM), which could lead to unintended behavior when subsequently dereferenced. This issue arises from the __component_match_add function, where a lack of appropriate pointer validation can result in a crash. To enhance system stability and prevent exploitation, an IS_ERR() check has been introduced in order to validate the pointer before dereference, ensuring robust handling of error conditions.

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