CVE-2025-39780

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched/ext: Fix invalid task state transitions on class switch When enabling a sched_ext scheduler, we may trigger invalid task state transitions, resulting in warnings like the following (which can be easily reproduced by running the hotplug selftest in a loop): sched_ext: Invalid task state transition 0 -> 3 for fish[770] WARNING: CPU: 18 PID: 787 at kernel/sched/ext.c:3862 scx_set_task_state+0x7c/0xc0 ... RIP: 0010:scx_set_task_state+0x7c/0xc0 ... Call Trace: <TASK> scx_enable_task+0x11f/0x2e0 switching_to_scx+0x24/0x110 scx_enable.isra.0+0xd14/0x13d0 bpf_struct_ops_link_create+0x136/0x1a0 __sys_bpf+0x1edd/0x2c30 __x64_sys_bpf+0x21/0x30 do_syscall_64+0xbb/0x370 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f This happens because we skip initialization for tasks that are already dead (with their usage counter set to zero), but we don't exclude them during the scheduling class transition phase. Fix this by also skipping dead tasks during class swiching, preventing invalid task state transitions.

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

1. 2025-09-11 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-19 21:10 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: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-09-11 17:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-19 21:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 6.12.44
• Linux Kernel < 6.16.4
• Linux Kernel 6.17

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

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-2025-39780.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-39780. 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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