CVE-2025-21919
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched/fair: Fix potential memory corruption in child_cfs_rq_on_list child_cfs_rq_on_list attempts to convert a 'prev' pointer to a cfs_rq. This 'prev' pointer can originate from struct rq's leaf_cfs_rq_list, making the conversion invalid and potentially leading to memory corruption. Depending on the relative positions of leaf_cfs_rq_list and the task group (tg) pointer within the struct, this can cause a memory fault or access garbage data. The issue arises in list_add_leaf_cfs_rq, where both cfs_rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list and rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list are added to the same leaf list. Also, rq->tmp_alone_branch can be set to rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list. This adds a check `if (prev == &rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list)` after the main conditional in child_cfs_rq_on_list. This ensures that the container_of operation will convert a correct cfs_rq struct. This check is sufficient because only cfs_rqs on the same CPU are added to the list, so verifying the 'prev' pointer against the current rq's list head is enough. Fixes a potential memory corruption issue that due to current struct layout might not be manifesting as a crash but could lead to unpredictable behavior when the layout changes.
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
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- 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
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-787 · Out-of-bounds write
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Linux Kernel < 5.15.179
- Linux Kernel < 6.1.131
- Linux Kernel < 6.6.83
- Linux Kernel < 6.12.19
- Linux Kernel < 6.13.7
- Linux Kernel 6.14
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
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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-2025-21919.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-21919. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/000c9ee43928f2ce68a156dd40bab7616256f4dd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b4035ddbfc8e4521f85569998a7569668cccf51
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5cb300dcdd27e6a351ac02541e0231261c775852
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9cc7f0018609f75a349e42e3aebc3b0e905ba775
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5741e4b9ef3567613b2351384f91d3f16e59986
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1dd09df30ba86716cb2ffab97dc35195c01eb8f
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/000c9ee43928f2ce68a156dd40bab7616256f4dd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b4035ddbfc8e4521f85569998a7569668cccf51
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5cb300dcdd27e6a351ac02541e0231261c775852
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9cc7f0018609f75a349e42e3aebc3b0e905ba775
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5741e4b9ef3567613b2351384f91d3f16e59986
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1dd09df30ba86716cb2ffab97dc35195c01eb8f
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00045.html
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-457936.html