CVE-2025-21780·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amdgpu: avoid buffer overflow attach in smu_sys_set_pp_table() It malicious user provides a small pptable through sysfs and then a bigger pptable, it may cause buffer overflow attack in function smu_sys_set_pp_table().
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.13.4
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 7% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2025-21780 scores 7.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.13
Until: 6.13.4
Fixed in: 6.13.4
How to fix this CVE
Update the Linux kernel to version 6.13.4 or later to patch a buffer overflow vulnerability in the AMD GPU power management subsystem. This vulnerability allows local users with sysfs access to trigger memory corruption by sequentially loading power performance tables of varying sizes. Apply this update as soon as possible to prevent potential system compromise.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r (vulnerable if output shows 6.13.0 through 6.13.3)
- Verify AMD GPU driver is loaded: lsmod | grep amdgpu (if empty, this CVE does not apply to your system)
- Check sysfs access permissions: ls -la /sys/class/drm/card*/device/pp_table (if writable by unprivileged users, risk is elevated)
- Confirm patch applied: grep -i '1abb2648698bf10783d2236a6b4a7ca5e8021699' /boot/config-$(uname -r) (absence indicates unpatched kernel)
FAQ
What is CVE-2025-21780?
A buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AMD GPU power management interface (smu_sys_set_pp_table) that occurs when power performance table parameters are inconsistently sized, allowing local attackers to corrupt kernel memory and potentially execute arbitrary code.
Is CVE-2025-21780 being actively exploited?
No, there are no reports of active exploitation in the wild, and no public exploit code is available. However, the vulnerability is trivial to exploit locally on systems with AMD GPUs.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2025-21780?
Linux kernel versions 6.13.0 through 6.13.3. Kernel 6.13.4 and later versions contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2025-21780?
Run 'uname -r' and verify output is 6.13.0–6.13.3, then run 'lsmod | grep amdgpu' to confirm the AMD GPU driver is loaded. If both conditions are true, your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2025-21780?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2025-21780 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1abb2648698bf10783d2236a6b4a7ca5e8021699
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/231075c5a8ea54f34b7c4794687baa980814e6de
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2498d2db1d35e88a2060ea191ae75dce853dd084
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3484ea33157bc7334f57e64826ec5a4bf992151a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e43a8b9c4d700ffec819c5043a48769b3e7d9cab
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