CVE-2025-38521: drm/imagination: Fix kernel crash when hard resetting the GPU

Published Aug 16, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

drm/imagination: Fix kernel crash when hard resetting the GPU

The GPU hard reset sequence calls pmruntimeforcesuspend() and pmruntimeforceresume(), which according to their documentation should only be used during system-wide PM transitions to sleep states.

The main issue though is that depending on some internal runtime PM state as seen by pmruntimeforcesuspend() (whether the usage count is <= 1), pmruntimeforceresume() might not resume the device unless needed. If that happens, the runtime PM resume callback pvrpowerdeviceresume() is not called, the GPU clocks are not re-enabled, and the kernel crashes on the next attempt to access GPU registers as part of the power-on sequence.

Replace calls to pmruntimeforcesuspend() and pmruntimeforceresume() with direct calls to the driver's runtime PM callbacks, pvrpowerdevicesuspend() and pvrpowerdeviceresume(), to ensure clocks are re-enabled and avoid the kernel crash.

Affected Software

146 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.8<6.12.39
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.15.7
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc5
debian/linux<6.12.41-1
6.12.41-1
debian/linux<6.16.3-1
6.16.3-1
linux/kernel>=6.8.0<6.12.39
6.12.39
linux/kernel>=6.13.0<6.15.7
6.15.7
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.115-27.2.15-1
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*
ubuntu/linux-gcp*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*
ubuntu/linux-hwe*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-oem*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-gke*
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-raspi2*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8<6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1
6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1
6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2
6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1044.44~22.04.1
6.8.0-1044.44~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-100.100.1~22.04.1
6.8.0-100.100.1~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8<6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8<6.8.0-1043.44~22.04.1
6.8.0-1043.44~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8<6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1041.42~22.04.1
6.8.1-1041.42~22.04.1
ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-100.100
6.8.0-100.100
ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1046.49
6.8.0-1046.49
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14<6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1046.52
6.8.0-1046.52
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14<6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<6.8.0-1046.53
6.8.0-1046.53
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia<6.8.0-1039.42
6.8.0-1039.42
ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.8.0-1047.50
6.8.0-1047.50
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14<6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1
6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1
ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1043.48
6.8.0-1043.48
ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1030.33
6.8.0-1030.33
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1044.44
6.8.0-1044.44
ubuntu/linux-intel*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-100.100.1
6.8.0-100.100.1
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1046.49
6.8.0-1046.49
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency<6.8.0-1046.49.1
6.8.0-1046.49.1
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<6.8.0-1020.20
6.8.0-1020.20
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14<6.14.0-1016.16
6.14.0-1016.16
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1043.44
6.8.0-1043.44
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14<6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.8.0-1047.51
6.8.0-1047.51
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14<6.14.0-36.36.1~24.04.1
6.14.0-36.36.1~24.04.1
ubuntu/linux-xilinx<6.8.0-1023.24
6.8.0-1023.24
ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1016.20
6.8.0-1016.20
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime<6.8.0-2037.38
6.8.0-2037.38
ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1041.42
6.8.1-1041.42
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14<6.14.0-1016.16~24.04.1
6.14.0-1016.16~24.04.1
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1046.49+fips1
6.8.0-1046.49+fips1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1046.52+fips1
6.8.0-1046.52+fips1
ubuntu/linux-fips<6.8.0-100.100+fips1
6.8.0-100.100+fips1
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1047.50+fips1
6.8.0-1047.50+fips1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-vmware*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.12.41-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.16.3-1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.12.39
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.15.7
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.115-2Fixed in 7.2.15-1
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.53~22.04.1
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.50~22.04.2
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1044.44~22.04.1
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100.1~22.04.1
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49~22.04.1
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1043.44~22.04.1
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100~22.04.1
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.1-1041.42~22.04.1
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
  20. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.52
  21. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
  22. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.53
  23. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1039.42
  24. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.50
  25. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-1020.21~24.04.1
  26. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1043.48
  27. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1030.33
  28. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1044.44
  29. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100.1
  30. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49
  31. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49.1
  32. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1020.20
  33. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-1016.16
  34. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1043.44
  35. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
  36. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.51
  37. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-36.36.1~24.04.1
  38. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1023.24
  39. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1016.20
  40. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-2037.38
  41. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.1-1041.42
  42. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.14.0-1016.16~24.04.1
  43. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.49+fips1
  44. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1046.52+fips1
  45. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-100.100+fips1
  46. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.50+fips1
  47. Configuration

    Replace pm_runtime_force_suspend() and pm_runtime_force_resume() with direct calls to the driver's runtime PM callbacks pvr_power_device_suspend() and pvr_power_device_resume() in the GPU hard reset sequence.

    Linux kernel drm/imagination GPU hard reset sequence Runtime PM suspend/resume calls = Direct calls to pvr_power_device_suspend() and pvr_power_device_resume()

Event History

Aug 16, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:55 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:55 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via OSV·10:55 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Nov 11, 2026
Data Sourced
via OSV·09:39 AM
Severity

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38521?

The severity of CVE-2025-38521 is considered to be critical due to its impact on kernel stability and potential denial of service.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38521?

To fix CVE-2025-38521, ensure that your Linux kernel is updated to the latest available version where this vulnerability has been patched.

3

Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2025-38521?

CVE-2025-38521 affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel that are prior to the release of the patch addressing this issue.

4

What are the consequences of not addressing CVE-2025-38521?

Not addressing CVE-2025-38521 can lead to kernel crashes, system instability, and denial of service for applications relying on GPU functionality.

5

Is CVE-2025-38521 related to GPU functionality in the Linux kernel?

Yes, CVE-2025-38521 specifically relates to a vulnerability that affects the GPU hard reset sequence in the Linux kernel.

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