CVE-2025-71110

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/slub: reset KASAN tag in defer_free() before accessing freed memory When CONFIG_SLUB_TINY is enabled, kfree_nolock() calls kasan_slab_free() before defer_free(). On ARM64 with MTE (Memory Tagging Extension), kasan_slab_free() poisons the memory and changes the tag from the original (e.g., 0xf3) to a poison tag (0xfe). When defer_free() then tries to write to the freed object to build the deferred free list via llist_add(), the pointer still has the old tag, causing a tag mismatch and triggering a KASAN use-after-free report: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in defer_free+0x3c/0xbc mm/slub.c:6537 Write at addr f3f000000854f020 by task kworker/u8:6/983 Pointer tag: [f3], memory tag: [fe] Fix this by calling kasan_reset_tag() before accessing the freed memory. This is safe because defer_free() is part of the allocator itself and is expected to manipulate freed memory for bookkeeping purposes.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-01-14
Last modified 2026-03-25
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-2025-71110 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 6.18 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.3, 6.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.18
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.3 6.18.x ✓ 6.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-71110 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-2025-71110?

    CVE-2025-71110 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 6.18 onward and has been patched in 6.18.3 and 6.19. CVE-2025-71110 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-71110?

    CVE-2025-71110 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-2025-71110?

    Yes — CVE-2025-71110 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.3 and 6.19. If you are running Linux kernel 6.18 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-71110 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-71110 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 →