CVE-2025-71221

Kernel compromise via unlocked descriptor traversal

Published Feb 14, 2026 · Updated Feb 14, 2026

Race condition in the Linux kernel's mmp_pdma DMA driver allows local users to compromise the kernel through concurrent status queries. The mmp_pdma_residue() function traverses chain_running and reads descriptor contents without desc_lock while a tasklet can move and free the same descriptor. Exploitation requires concurrent transfers and status queries on the same affected DMA channel; the resulting use-after-free can crash the host or corrupt kernel memory.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.10%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Race condition in the Linux kernel's mmp_pdma DMA driver allows local users to compromise the kernel through concurrent status queries. The mmp_pdma_residue() function traverses chain_running and reads descriptor contents without desc_lock while a tasklet can move and free the same descriptor. Exploitation requires concurrent transfers and status queries on the same affected DMA channel; the resulting use-after-free can crash the host or corrupt kernel memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-71221
Published
Feb 14, 2026
Updated
Feb 14, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-362, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 14, 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=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <9f665b3c3d9a168410251f27a5d019b7bf93185c
  2. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <a143545855bc2c6e1330f6f57ae375ac44af00a7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <9f665b3c3d9a168410251f27a5d019b7bf93185c; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <a143545855bc2c6e1330f6f57ae375ac44af00a7

Published CVSS scores

7.0NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8Linux kernel CVE teamCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-362Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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