CVE-2025-21854: sockmap, vsock: For connectible sockets allow only connected
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
sockmap, vsock: For connectible sockets allow only connected
sockmap expects all vsocks to have a transport assigned, which is expressed in vsockproto::psockupdateskprot(). However, there is an edge case where an unconnected (connectible) socket may lose its previously assigned transport. This is handled with a NULL check in the vsock/BPF recv path.
Another design detail is that listening vsocks are not supposed to have any transport assigned at all. Which implies they are not supported by the sockmap. But this is complicated by the fact that a socket, before switching to TCPLISTEN, may have had some transport assigned during a failed connect() attempt. Hence, we may end up with a listening vsock in a sockmap, which blows up quickly:
KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000120-0x0000000000000127] CPU: 7 UID: 0 PID: 56 Comm: kworker/7:0 Not tainted 6.14.0-rc1+ Workqueue: vsock-loopback vsockloopbackwork RIP: 0010:vsockreadskb+0x4b/0x90 Call Trace: skpsockverdictdataready+0xa4/0x2e0 virtiotransportrecvpkt+0x1ca8/0x2acc vsockloopbackwork+0x27d/0x3f0 processonework+0x846/0x1420 workerthread+0x5b3/0xf80 kthread+0x35a/0x700 retfromfork+0x2d/0x70 retfromforkasm+0x1a/0x30
For connectible sockets, instead of relying solely on the state of vsk->transport, tell sockmap to only allow those representing established connections. This aligns with the behaviour for AFINET and AFUNIX.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2025-21854?
CVE-2025-21854 has been classified with a severity rating that indicates a potential impact on the Linux kernel's security regarding socket connection handling.
How do I fix CVE-2025-21854?
To fix CVE-2025-21854, update your Linux kernel to a version later than 6.14.0-rc1 where the vulnerability has been addressed.
What types of systems are affected by CVE-2025-21854?
CVE-2025-21854 affects systems running the Linux kernel version 6.14.0-rc1 or earlier.
Is CVE-2025-21854 a type of denial of service vulnerability?
No, CVE-2025-21854 is not classified as a denial of service vulnerability, but it relates to the handling of connected sockets.
What is the primary issue described in CVE-2025-21854?
The primary issue in CVE-2025-21854 involves an edge case in the Linux kernel's sockmap where vsocks may not correctly enforce transport assignment requirements.