CVE-2025-21856

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: s390/ism: add release function for struct device According to device_release() in /drivers/base/core.c, a device without a release function is a broken device and must be fixed. The current code directly frees the device after calling device_add() without waiting for other kernel parts to release their references. Thus, a reference could still be held to a struct device, e.g., by sysfs, leading to potential use-after-free issues if a proper release function is not set.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-03-12
Last modified 2025-10-01
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

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

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2025-21856 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.3 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.6.80, 6.12.17, 6.13.5, 6.14 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.3
Fixed in
✓ 6.6.80 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.17 6.12.x ✓ 6.13.5 6.13.x ✓ 6.14

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-21856 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

4 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2025-21856?

    CVE-2025-21856 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.3 onward and has been patched in 6.6.80, 6.12.17, 6.13.5 and others. CVE-2025-21856 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-21856?

    CVE-2025-21856 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-21856?

    Yes — CVE-2025-21856 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.80, 6.12.17, 6.13.5 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.3 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-21856 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-21856 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

    The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →

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