CVE-2025-21726: Linux kernel · padata: avoid UAF for reorder_work
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.4.0-1154.164~18.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 19:34 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.4.0-1154.164~18.04.1, 5.4.0-1157.164~18.04.1, 5.4.0-1157.166~18.04.1 +84
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 27 Feb 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 12 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7511-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7511-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7512-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7511-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-6 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-nvidiapkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch addressing this vulnerability is available and included in updated Linux kernel releases such as 5.4.0-1154.164~18.04.1 and later. Users should apply the official kernel updates provided by their Linux distribution and reboot their systems to ensure the fix is active. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official updates.
Description
CVE-2025-21726 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's padata parallel execution mechanism affecting the reorder_work function. The flaw occurs because a reference to a data structure ('pd') is released prematurely, potentially leading to memory corruption. This vulnerability has been addressed by ensuring the 'pd' reference is held until the serial work queue finishes processing. Multiple Linux kernel versions, including various Ubuntu kernel builds, are affected. A patch is available and included in updated kernel releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-21726 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-21726 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/dd7d37ccf6b11f3d95e797ebe4e9e886d0332600 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f45ef616775b0ce7889b0f6077fc8d681ab30bc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7000507bb0d2ceb545c0a690e0c707c897d102c2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ca38d0ca8c3d30dd18d311f1a7ec5cb56972cac (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a54091c24220a4cd847d5b4f36d678edacddbaf0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd7d37ccf6b11f3d95e797ebe4e9e886d0332600 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7511-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7511-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7512-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7511-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7510-6 (opens in a new tab)