CVE-2025-21895

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/core: Order the PMU list to fix warning about unordered pmu_ctx_list Syskaller triggers a warning due to prev_epc->pmu != next_epc->pmu in perf_event_swap_task_ctx_data(). vmcore shows that two lists have the same perf_event_pmu_context, but not in the same order. The problem is that the order of pmu_ctx_list for the parent is impacted by the time when an event/PMU is added. While the order for a child is impacted by the event order in the pinned_groups and flexible_groups. So the order of pmu_ctx_list in the parent and child may be different. To fix this problem, insert the perf_event_pmu_context to its proper place after iteration of the pmu_ctx_list. The follow testcase can trigger above warning: # perf record -e cycles --call-graph lbr -- taskset -c 3 ./a.out & # perf stat -e cpu-clock,cs -p xxx // xxx is the pid of a.out test.c void main() { int count = 0; pid_t pid; printf("%d running\n", getpid()); sleep(30); printf("running\n"); pid = fork(); if (pid == -1) { printf("fork error\n"); return; } if (pid == 0) { while (1) { count++; } } else { while (1) { count++; } } } The testcase first opens an LBR event, so it will allocate task_ctx_data, and then open tracepoint and software events, so the parent context will have 3 different perf_event_pmu_contexts. On inheritance, child ctx will insert the perf_event_pmu_context in another order and the warning will trigger. [ mingo: Tidied up the changelog. ]

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-04-01
Last modified 2025-10-31
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

4.7

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

Weakness type

CWE-362

CVE-2025-21895 is a Race Condition vulnerability

What is Race Condition?

The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.2 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.6.81, 6.12.18, 6.13.6, 6.14 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.2
Fixed in
✓ 6.6.81 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.18 6.12.x ✓ 6.13.6 6.13.x ✓ 6.14

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-21895 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-2025-21895?

    CVE-2025-21895 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10 , classified as a Race Condition flaw (CWE-362) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.2 onward and has been patched in 6.6.81, 6.12.18, 6.13.6 and others. CVE-2025-21895 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-21895?

    CVE-2025-21895 has a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2025-21895?

    Yes — CVE-2025-21895 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.81, 6.12.18, 6.13.6 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 6.2 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-21895 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-21895 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Race Condition (CWE-362)?

    The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. View CWE-362 on MITRE CWE →