Use-After-Free in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-21731)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-21731). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nbd: don't allow reconnect after disconnect
Following process can cause nbd_config UAF:
-
grab nbd_config temporarily;
-
nbd_genl_disconnect() flush all recv_work() and release the
initial reference:
nbd_genl_disconnect
nbd_disconnect_and_put
nbd_disconnect
flush_workqueue(nbd->recv_workq)
if (test_and_clear_bit(NBD_RT_HAS_CONFIG_REF, ...))
nbd_config_put
-> due to step 1), reference is still not zero
- nbd_genl_reconfigure() queue recv_work() again;
nbd_genl_reconfigure
config = nbd_get_config_unlocked(nbd)
if (!config)
-> succeed
if (!test_bit(NBD_RT_BOUND, ...))
-> succeed
nbd_reconnect_socket
queue_work(nbd->recv_workq, &args->work)
-
step 1) release the reference;
-
Finially, recv_work() will trigger UAF:
recv_work
nbd_config_put(nbd)
-> nbd_config is freed
atomic_dec(&config->recv_threads)
-> UAF
Fix the problem by clearing NBD_RT_BOUND in nbd_genl_disconnect(), so
that nbd_genl_reconfigure() will fail.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD GitHub Advisory
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-21731 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2025-21731" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-21731 (Linux kernel) — CWE-416 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
Use-after-free (CWE-416) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2025-21731 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.1.130-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2025-21731 linux Fixed in: 5.10.237-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-21731 linux-azure
References
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- advisory github.com
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web lists.debian.org
- web lists.debian.org
- web cert-portal.siemens.com
- web github.com
- web cert-portal.siemens.com
- web cert-portal.siemens.com