CVE-2025-21929

Freed-memory access via misordered HID teardown

Published Apr 1, 2025 · Updated May 11, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel 6.8 intel_ishtp_hid driver allows local users to access freed memory during module removal. hid_ishtp_cl_remove() calls hid_ishtp_cl_deinit() before ishtp_hid_remove(), disconnecting ISHTP before HID power-off and leaving removal code to use freed resources. Reaching the flaw requires local privileges to remove the driver; published kernel material does not specify whether the resulting fault causes a crash or permits broader compromise.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel 6.8 intel_ishtp_hid driver allows local users to access freed memory during module removal. hid_ishtp_cl_remove() calls hid_ishtp_cl_deinit() before ishtp_hid_remove(), disconnecting ISHTP before HID power-off and leaving removal code to use freed resources. Reaching the flaw requires local privileges to remove the driver; published kernel material does not specify whether the resulting fault causes a crash or permits broader compromise.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-21929
Published
Apr 1, 2025
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 1, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=6.8
  2. Affected versionversion=f645a90e8ff732c48dd9f18815baef08c44ac8a0 <823987841424289339fdb4ba90e6d2c3792836db
  3. Affected versionversion=f645a90e8ff732c48dd9f18815baef08c44ac8a0 <9c677fe859a73f5dd3dd84c27f99e10d28047c73
  4. Affected versionversion=f645a90e8ff732c48dd9f18815baef08c44ac8a0 <e040f11fbca868c6d151e9f2c5730c476abfcf17

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=6.8; version=f645a90e8ff732c48dd9f18815baef08c44ac8a0 <823987841424289339fdb4ba90e6d2c3792836db; version=f645a90e8ff732c48dd9f18815baef08c44ac8a0 <9c677fe859a73f5dd3dd84c27f99e10d28047c73; version=f645a90e8ff732c48dd9f18815baef08c44ac8a0 <e040f11fbca868c6d151e9f2c5730c476abfcf17

Published CVSS scores

7.8CVE ProgramCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.7OracleCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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