Local kernel compromise via BPF timer reuse race
Published Mar 6, 2025 · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Affected Linux kernel builds with PREEMPT_RT enabled allow local users to disclose or corrupt kernel memory through BPF map updates. During a preallocated hash-map overwrite, htab_map_update_elem frees an old element while its timer can still run, and concurrent reuse lets bpf_obj_free_fields tear down live special fields. Reaching the flaw requires local BPF access and attacker-controlled timer and map-update activity; exploitation can disclose or corrupt kernel memory or panic and lock up the host.
Summary
What happened
Affected Linux kernel builds with PREEMPT_RT enabled allow local users to disclose or corrupt kernel memory through BPF map updates. During a preallocated hash-map overwrite, htab_map_update_elem frees an old element while its timer can still run, and concurrent reuse lets bpf_obj_free_fields tear down live special fields. Reaching the flaw requires local BPF access and attacker-controlled timer and map-update activity; exploitation can disclose or corrupt kernel memory or panic and lock up the host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-21825
- Published
- Mar 6, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 5, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 6, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=5.15
- Affected versionversion=b00628b1c7d595ae5b544e059c27b1f5828314b4 <33e47d9573075342a41783a55c8c67bc71246fc1
- Affected versionversion=b00628b1c7d595ae5b544e059c27b1f5828314b4 <58f038e6d209d2dd862fcf5de55407855856794d
- Affected versionversion=b00628b1c7d595ae5b544e059c27b1f5828314b4 <fbeda3d939ca10063aafa7a77cc0f409d82cda88
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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