Categories
CVE-2025-21731 high CVSS 7.8

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:

  1. grab nbd_config temporarily;

  2. 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

  1. 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)

  1. step 1) release the reference;

  2. 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.

❓ What is the problem

Use-after-free (CWE-416) exists in Linux kernel.

📍 Affected scope

Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.

🔥 Severity

Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.

🔧 How to fix

Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.

🛡️ Workaround

Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.

🔍 Detection

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

  1. 1
    Identify 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。

  2. 2
    Post-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

Linux Kernel
[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"4.12.0"},{"fixed":"5.4.291"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"5.5.0"},{"fixed":"5.10.235"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"5.11.0"},{"fixed":"5.15.179"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"5.16.0"},{"fixed":"6.1.129"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"6.2.0"},{"fixed":"6.6.76"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"6.7.0"},{"fixed":"6.12.13"}]},{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"6.13.0"},{"fixed":"6.13.2"}]}]

Fix status by distribution

Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE

References

We use cookies for analytics and ad measurement. This setting applies to all Game co., Ltd. sites. Details