CVE-2025-40120
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: usb: asix: hold PM usage ref to avoid PM/MDIO + RTNL deadlock Prevent USB runtime PM (autosuspend) for AX88772* in bind.
Overview
CVE-2025-40120 is a known-severity vulnerability. It was published on November 12, 2025.
Technical description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: usb: asix: hold PM usage ref to avoid PM/MDIO + RTNL deadlock
Prevent USB runtime PM (autosuspend) for AX88772* in bind.
usbnet enables runtime PM (autosuspend) by default, so disabling it via
the usb_driver flag is ineffective. On AX88772B, autosuspend shows no
measurable power saving with current driver (no link partner, admin
up/down). The ~0.453 W -> ~0.248 W drop on v6.1 comes from phylib powering
the PHY off on admin-down, not from USB autosuspend.
The real hazard is that with runtime PM enabled, ndo_open() (under RTNL)
may synchronously trigger autoresume (usb_autopm_get_interface()) into
asix_resume() while the USB PM lock is held. Resume paths then invoke
phylink/phylib and MDIO, which also expect RTNL, leading to possible
deadlocks or PM lock vs MDIO wake issues.
To avoid this, keep the device runtime-PM active by taking a usage
reference in ax88772_bind() and dropping it in unbind(). A non-zero PM
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
References
How CyberStrike helps
Reason, not just scan
It reasons through your app's logic the way a human pentester would, so it finds flaws signature scanners miss.
Learn moreVerified findings
Every finding is proven exploitable before you see it, which cuts the false positives that bury real risk.
Learn moreAI-driven DAST and SAST
Probe running apps and read source from one engine, so issues are caught before and after they ship.
Learn moreOpen source
Read exactly how it tests and what it reports. CyberStrike is open source and in early access.
View the repo
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2025-40120?
CVE-2025-40120 is a known-severity vulnerability. It was published on November 12, 2025.
How severe is CVE-2025-40120?
CVSS score information is not yet available for this vulnerability. Check back as the CVE record is updated by NVD analysts.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2025-40120?
Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2025-40120?
CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2025-40120 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.