#VU105651 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2025-21853
Vulnerability identifier: #VU105651
Vulnerability risk: Low
CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]
CVE-ID: CVE-2025-21853
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 bpf_map_mmap() function in kernel/bpf/syscall.c. A local user can escalate privileges on the system.
Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.
Vulnerable software versions
Linux kernel: 6.12, 6.12.1, 6.12.2, 6.12.3, 6.12.4, 6.12.5, 6.12.6, 6.12.7, 6.12.8, 6.12.9, 6.12.10, 6.12.11, 6.12.12, 6.12.13, 6.12.14, 6.12.15, 6.12.16
External links
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/271e49f8a58edba65bc2b1250a0abaa98c4bfdbe
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/29cfda62ab4d92ab94123813db49ab76c1e61b29
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc27c52eea189e8f7492d40739b7746d67b65beb
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d95607a5f2f9bb08194c9deaf4a5f3e8ba59a9d4
https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/ChangeLog-6.12.17
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.
