CVE-2025-21786

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.21%

Last modified

CVE-2025-21786 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool The commit 68f83057b913("workqueue: Reap workers via kthread_stop() and remove detach_completion") adds code to reap the normal workers but mistakenly does not handle the rescuer and also removes the code waiting for the rescuer in put_unbound_pool(), which caused a use-after-free bug reported by Cheung Wall. To avoid the use-after-free bug, the pool’s reference must be held until the detachment is complete. Therefore, move the code that puts the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool.. EPSS estimates a 0.21% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool The commit 68f83057b913("workqueue: Reap workers via kthread_stop() and remove detach_completion") adds code to reap the normal workers but mistakenly does not handle the rescuer and also removes the code waiting for the rescuer in put_unbound_pool(), which caused a use-after-free bug reported by Cheung Wall. To avoid the use-after-free bug, the pool’s reference must be held until the detachment is complete. Therefore, move the code that puts the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1
7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability
0.21%

11.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

VendorProductVersions
LinuxLinux Kernel< 6.12.16
LinuxLinux Kernel>= 6.13, < 6.13.4

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-21786?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool The commit 68f83057b913("workqueue: Reap workers via kthread_stop() and remove detach_completion") adds code to reap the normal workers but mistakenly does not handle the rescuer and also removes the code waiting for the rescuer in put_unbound_pool(), which caused a use-after-free bug reported by Cheung Wall. To avoid the use-after-free bug, the pool’s reference must be held until the detachment is complete. Therefore, move the code that puts the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool.
How severe is CVE-2025-21786?
CVE-2025-21786 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.21% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2025-21786?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2025-21786?

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Source: NVD / NIST