CVE-2025-39953

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cgroup: split cgroup_destroy_wq into 3 workqueues A hung task can occur during [1] LTP cgroup testing when repeatedly mounting/unmounting perf_event and net_prio controllers with systemd.unified_cgroup_hierarchy=1. The hang manifests in cgroup_lock_and_drain_offline() during root destruction. Related case: cgroup_fj_function_perf_event cgroup_fj_function.sh perf_event cgroup_fj_function_net_prio cgroup_fj_function.sh net_prio Call Trace: cgroup_lock_and_drain_offline+0x14c/0x1e8 cgroup_destroy_root+0x3c/0x2c0 css_free_rwork_fn+0x248/0x338 process_one_work+0x16c/0x3b8 worker_thread+0x22c/0x3b0 kthread+0xec/0x100 ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20 Root Cause: CPU0 CPU1 mount perf_event umount net_prio cgroup1_get_tree cgroup_kill_sb rebind_subsystems // root destruction enqueues // cgroup_destroy_wq // kill all perf_event css // one perf_event css A is dying // css A offline enqueues cgroup_destroy_wq // root destruction will be executed first css_free_rwork_fn cgroup_destroy_root cgroup_lock_and_drain_offline // some perf descendants are dying // cgroup_destroy_wq max_active = 1 // waiting for css A to die Problem scenario: 1. CPU0 mounts perf_event (rebind_subsystems) 2. CPU1 unmounts net_prio (cgroup_kill_sb), queuing root destruction work 3. A dying perf_event CSS gets queued for offline after root destruction 4. Root destruction waits for offline completion, but offline work is blocked behind root destruction in cgroup_destroy_wq (max_active=1) Solution: Split cgroup_destroy_wq into three dedicated workqueues: cgroup_offline_wq – Handles CSS offline operations cgroup_release_wq – Manages resource release cgroup_free_wq – Performs final memory deallocation This separation eliminates blocking in the CSS free path while waiting for offline operations to complete. [1] https://github.com/linux-test-project/ltp/blob/master/runtest/controllers

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. 2025-10-04 08:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-10 13:17 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

2025-10-04 08:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-10 13:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.4.300
• Linux Kernel < 5.10.245
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.194
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.154
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.108
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.49
• Linux Kernel < 6.16.9
• Linux Kernel 6.17

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?

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