CVE-2025-21709

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: kernel: be more careful about dup_mmap() failures and uprobe registering If a memory allocation fails during dup_mmap(), the maple tree can be left in an unsafe state for other iterators besides the exit path. All the locks are dropped before the exit_mmap() call (in mm/mmap.c), but the incomplete mm_struct can be reached through (at least) the rmap finding the vmas which have a pointer back to the mm_struct. Up to this point, there have been no issues with being able to find an mm_struct that was only partially initialised. Syzbot was able to make the incomplete mm_struct fail with recent forking changes, so it has been proven unsafe to use the mm_struct that hasn't been initialised, as referenced in the link below. Although 8ac662f5da19f ("fork: avoid inappropriate uprobe access to invalid mm") fixed the uprobe access, it does not completely remove the race. This patch sets the MMF_OOM_SKIP to avoid the iteration of the vmas on the oom side (even though this is extremely unlikely to be selected as an oom victim in the race window), and sets MMF_UNSTABLE to avoid other potential users from using a partially initialised mm_struct. When registering vmas for uprobe, skip the vmas in an mm that is marked unstable. Modifying a vma in an unstable mm may cause issues if the mm isn't fully initialised.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-02-27
Last modified 2026-04-22
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

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

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.8 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.83, 6.13.2, 6.14 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.8
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.83 6.12.x ✓ 6.13.2 6.13.x ✓ 6.14

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-21709 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-2025-21709?

    CVE-2025-21709 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.8 onward and has been patched in 6.12.83, 6.13.2 and 6.14. CVE-2025-21709 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-21709?

    CVE-2025-21709 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-21709?

    Yes — CVE-2025-21709 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.83, 6.13.2 and 6.14. If you are running Linux kernel 6.8 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-21709 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-21709 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.