CVE-2025-21919: sched/fair: Fix potential memory corruption in child_cfs_rq_on_list

Published Apr 1, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

sched/fair: Fix potential memory corruption in childcfsrqonlist

childcfsrqonlist attempts to convert a 'prev' pointer to a cfsrq. This 'prev' pointer can originate from struct rq's leafcfsrqlist, making the conversion invalid and potentially leading to memory corruption. Depending on the relative positions of leafcfsrqlist and the task group (tg) pointer within the struct, this can cause a memory fault or access garbage data.

The issue arises in listaddleafcfsrq, where both cfsrq->leafcfsrqlist and rq->leafcfsrqlist are added to the same leaf list. Also, rq->tmpalonebranch can be set to rq->leafcfsrqlist.

This adds a check if (prev == &rq->leafcfsrqlist) after the main conditional in childcfsrqonlist. This ensures that the containerof operation will convert a correct cfsrq struct.

This check is sufficient because only cfsrqs 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.

Affected Software

16 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.176.3-3<5.15.180.1-1
5.15.180.1-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.82.1-1<6.6.85.1-2
6.6.85.1-2
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.85.1-2<6.6.85.1-2
6.6.85.1-2
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.180.1-1<5.15.180.1-1
5.15.180.1-1
Linux Linux kernel>=5.13<5.15.179
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.131
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.83
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.19
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.13.7
Linux Linux kernel=6.14-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.14-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.14-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.14-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=6.14-rc5
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.115-27.2.12-17.2.15-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.180.1-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.6.85.1-2

Event History

Apr 1, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:40 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:40 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:02 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
May 5, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-21919?

CVE-2025-21919 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability due to the potential for memory corruption.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-21919?

To fix CVE-2025-21919, update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched.

3

What impact does CVE-2025-21919 have on system security?

CVE-2025-21919 may allow an attacker to exploit memory corruption, leading to system instability or unauthorized access.

4

Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2025-21919?

CVE-2025-21919 affects various versions of the Linux kernel prior to the patch release.

5

Is CVE-2025-21919 related to scheduling issues in the Linux kernel?

Yes, CVE-2025-21919 is related to potential flaws in the scheduling mechanism of the Linux kernel.

Contact

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