#VU103918 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2025-21694

Vulnerability identifier: #VU103918

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:U/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-21694

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the __read_vmcore() function in fs/proc/vmcore.c. A local user can escalate privileges on the system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/649b266606bc413407ce315f710c8ce8a88ee30a
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/65c367bd9d4f43513c7f837df5753bea9561b836
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/80828540dad0757b6337c6561d49c81038f38d87
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/80da29deb88a3a907441fc35bb7bac309f31e713
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/84c4ed15626574c9ac6c1039ba9c137a77bcc7f2
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5a2ee8144c3897d37403a69118c3e3dc5713958
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cbc5dde0a461240046e8a41c43d7c3b76d5db952

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.