CVE-2025-21702

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pfifo_tail_enqueue: Drop new packet when sch->limit == 0 Expected behaviour: In case we reach scheduler's limit, pfifo_tail_enqueue() will drop a packet in scheduler's queue and decrease scheduler's qlen by one. Then, pfifo_tail_enqueue() enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by one. Finally, pfifo_tail_enqueue() return `NET_XMIT_CN` status code. Weird behaviour: In case we set `sch->limit == 0` and trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue() on a scheduler that has no packet, the 'drop a packet' step will do nothing. This means the scheduler's qlen still has value equal 0. Then, we continue to enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by one. In summary, we can leverage pfifo_tail_enqueue() to increase qlen by one and return `NET_XMIT_CN` status code. The problem is: Let's say we have two qdiscs: Qdisc_A and Qdisc_B. - Qdisc_A's type must have '->graft()' function to create parent/child relationship. Let's say Qdisc_A's type is `hfsc`. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger `hfsc_enqueue`. - Qdisc_B's type is pfifo_head_drop. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger `pfifo_tail_enqueue`. - Qdisc_B is configured to have `sch->limit == 0`. - Qdisc_A is configured to route the enqueued's packet to Qdisc_B. Enqueue packet through Qdisc_A will lead to: - hfsc_enqueue(Qdisc_A) -> pfifo_tail_enqueue(Qdisc_B) - Qdisc_B->q.qlen += 1 - pfifo_tail_enqueue() return `NET_XMIT_CN` - hfsc_enqueue() check for `NET_XMIT_SUCCESS` and see `NET_XMIT_CN` => hfsc_enqueue() don't increase qlen of Qdisc_A. The whole process lead to a situation where Qdisc_A->q.qlen == 0 and Qdisc_B->q.qlen == 1. Replace 'hfsc' with other type (for example: 'drr') still lead to the same problem. This violate the design where parent's qlen should equal to the sum of its childrens'qlen. Bug impact: This issue can be used for user->kernel privilege escalation when it is reachable.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-02-18
Last modified 2026-05-12
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.0

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.34 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.4.291, 5.10.235, 5.15.179, 6.1.130, 6.6.83, 6.12.14, 6.13.3, 6.14 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.34
Fixed in
✓ 5.4.291 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.235 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.179 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.130 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.83 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.14 6.12.x ✓ 6.13.3 6.13.x ✓ 6.14

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-21702 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-21702?

    CVE-2025-21702 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.0 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.34 onward and has been patched in 5.4.291, 5.10.235, 5.15.179 and others. CVE-2025-21702 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-21702?

    CVE-2025-21702 has a CVSS score of 7.0 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-21702?

    Yes — CVE-2025-21702 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.4.291, 5.10.235, 5.15.179 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.34 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-21702 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-21702 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.