Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-21954)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-21954). 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:
netmem: prevent TX of unreadable skbs
Currently on stable trees we have support for netmem/devmem RX but not
TX. It is not safe to forward/redirect an RX unreadable netmem packet
into the device's TX path, as the device may call dma-mapping APIs on
dma addrs that should not be passed to it.
Fix this by preventing the xmit of unreadable skbs.
Tested by configuring tc redirect:
sudo tc qdisc add dev eth1 ingress
sudo tc filter add dev eth1 ingress protocol ip prio 1 flower ip_proto
tcp src_ip 192.168.1.12 action mirred egress redirect dev eth1
Before, I see unreadable skbs in the driver's TX path passed to dma
mapping APIs.
After, I don't see unreadable skbs in the driver's TX path passed to dma
mapping APIs.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
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-2025-21954 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 9.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2025-21954" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-21954 (Linux kernel) — CWE-401 / CVSS v3 9.8
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / unauthenticated / 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.
A vulnerability (CWE-401) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.8/10). 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-2025-21954 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.12.41-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2025-21954 linux Fixed in: 6.12.20-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-21954 linux-hwe-edge
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org