NULL pointer dereference in Linux

CVE-2025-38231

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: Initialize ssc before laundromat_work to prevent NULL dereference In nfs4_state_start_net(), laundromat_work may access nfsd_ssc through nfs4_laundromat -> nfsd4_ssc_expire_umount. If nfsd_ssc isn't initialized, this can cause NULL pointer dereference. Normally the delayed start of laundromat_work allows sufficient time for nfsd_ssc initialization to complete. However, when the kernel waits too long for userspace responses (e.g. in nfs4_state_start_net -> nfsd4_end_grace -> nfsd4_record_grace_done -> nfsd4_cld_grace_done -> cld_pipe_upcall -> __cld_pipe_upcall -> wait_for_completion path), the delayed work may start before nfsd_ssc initialization finishes. Fix this by moving nfsd_ssc initialization before starting laundromat_work.

EPSS: 0.002 (5.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.