System hang via PREEMPT_RT PCM lock inversion
Published Nov 12, 2025 · Updated May 11, 2026
Deadlock in Linux ALSA PCM 6.12 through 6.17.2 allows attackers to hang PREEMPT_RT systems via concurrent PCM and timer activity. On PREEMPT_RT, snd_pcm_group_lock_irq() uses spin_lock_irq() without disabling bottom halves, allowing TIMER_SOFTIRQ to run while the PCM group lock is held and invert the softirq_ctrl.lock order. The issue requires the affected ALSA PCM code and PREEMPT_RT semantics; triggering the lock inversion deadlocks the kernel and interrupts the system.
Summary
What happened
Deadlock in Linux ALSA PCM 6.12 through 6.17.2 allows attackers to hang PREEMPT_RT systems via concurrent PCM and timer activity. On PREEMPT_RT, snd_pcm_group_lock_irq() uses spin_lock_irq() without disabling bottom halves, allowing TIMER_SOFTIRQ to run while the PCM group lock is held and invert the softirq_ctrl.lock order. The issue requires the affected ALSA PCM code and PREEMPT_RT semantics; triggering the lock inversion deadlocks the kernel and interrupts the system.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-40142
- Published
- Nov 12, 2025
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 12, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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?
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- Affected versionversion=6.12
- Affected versionversion=d2d6422f8bd17c6bb205133e290625a564194496 <3969b6193cb7a45aa5fb4ec68f215e9e7f93d39a
- Affected versionversion=d2d6422f8bd17c6bb205133e290625a564194496 <63ee96c7f47df239ee0a6e8108b6bfd8c98334ae
- Affected versionversion=d2d6422f8bd17c6bb205133e290625a564194496 <9fc4a3da9a0259a0500848b5d8657918efde176b
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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