CVE-2025-21919
HighIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched/fair: Fix potential memory corruption in child_cfs_rq_on_list child_cfs_rq_on_list attempts to convert a 'prev' pointer to a cfs_rq. This 'prev' pointer can originate from struct rq's leaf_cfs_rq_list, making the conversion invalid and potentially leading to memory corruption. Depending on the relative positions of leaf_cfs_rq_list and the task group (tg) pointer within the struct, this can cause a memory fault or access garbage data. The issue arises in list_add_leaf_cfs_rq, where both cfs_rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list and rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list are added to the same leaf list. Also, rq->tmp_alone_branch can be set to rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list. This adds a check `if (prev == &rq->leaf_cfs_rq_list)` after the main conditional in child_cfs_rq_on_list. This ensures that the container_of operation will convert a correct cfs_rq struct. This check is sufficient because only cfs_rqs on the same CPU are added to the list, so verifying the 'prev' pointer against the current rq's list head is enough. Fixes a potential memory corruption issue that due to current struct layout might not be manifesting as a crash but could lead to unpredictable behavior when the layout changes.
CVSS 3.1 score
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-787CVE-2025-21919 is a Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability
What is Out-of-bounds Write?
The product writes data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
5.13
and later are affected. Fixed in
5.15.179,
6.1.131,
6.6.83,
6.12.19,
6.13.7,
6.14
and their respective stable series.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-21919 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/000c9ee43928f2ce68a156dd40bab7616256f4dd
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b4035ddbfc8e4521f85569998a7569668cccf51
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5cb300dcdd27e6a351ac02541e0231261c775852
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2025-21919?
CVE-2025-21919 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Out-of-bounds Write flaw (CWE-787) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.13 onward and has been patched in 5.15.179, 6.1.131, 6.6.83 and others. CVE-2025-21919 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-21919?
CVE-2025-21919 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-2025-21919?
Yes — CVE-2025-21919 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.15.179, 6.1.131, 6.6.83 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.13 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2025-21919 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2025-21919 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787)?
The product writes data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. View CWE-787 on MITRE CWE →