CVE-2025-37747

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Fix hang while freeing sigtrap event Perf can hang while freeing a sigtrap event if a related deferred signal hadn't managed to be sent before the file got closed: perf_event_overflow() task_work_add(perf_pending_task) fput() task_work_add(____fput()) task_work_run() ____fput() perf_release() perf_event_release_kernel() _free_event() perf_pending_task_sync() task_work_cancel() -> FAILED rcuwait_wait_event() Once task_work_run() is running, the list of pending callbacks is removed from the task_struct and from this point on task_work_cancel() can't remove any pending and not yet started work items, hence the task_work_cancel() failure and the hang on rcuwait_wait_event(). Task work could be changed to remove one work at a time, so a work running on the current task can always cancel a pending one, however the wait / wake design is still subject to inverted dependencies when remote targets are involved, as pictured by Oleg: T1 T2 fd = perf_event_open(pid => T2->pid); fd = perf_event_open(pid => T1->pid); close(fd) close(fd) <IRQ> <IRQ> perf_event_overflow() perf_event_overflow() task_work_add(perf_pending_task) task_work_add(perf_pending_task) </IRQ> </IRQ> fput() fput() task_work_add(____fput()) task_work_add(____fput()) task_work_run() task_work_run() ____fput() ____fput() perf_release() perf_release() perf_event_release_kernel() perf_event_release_kernel() _free_event() _free_event() perf_pending_task_sync() perf_pending_task_sync() rcuwait_wait_event() rcuwait_wait_event() Therefore the only option left is to acquire the event reference count upon queueing the perf task work and release it from the task work, just like it was done before 3a5465418f5f ("perf: Fix event leak upon exec and file release") but without the leaks it fixed. Some adjustments are necessary to make it work: * A child event might dereference its parent upon freeing. Care must be taken to release the parent last. * Some places assuming the event doesn't have any reference held and therefore can be freed right away must instead put the reference and let the reference counting to its job.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of 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

1. 2025-05-01 13:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-05 21:17 UTC 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: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-05-01 13:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-05 21:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.16
• Linux Kernel < 6.2
• Linux Kernel < 6.7
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.24
• Linux Kernel < 6.13.12
• Linux Kernel < 6.14.3
• Linux Kernel 6.15

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

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-2025-37747.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-37747. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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