CVE-2025-21727: Linux kernel · padata: fix UAF in padata_reorder
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.4.0-1152.162~18.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 19:34 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.4.0-1152.162~18.04.1, 5.4.0-1156.163~18.04.1, 5.4.0-1155.164~18.04.1 +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 is available and has been released in multiple Linux kernel versions including 5.4.0-1152.162~18.04.1 and later. Users should apply the official kernel updates provided by their Linux distribution and reboot the system to ensure the fix is applied. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patches.
Description
CVE-2025-21727 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the padata subsystem of the Linux kernel. The flaw occurs in the padata_reorder function when a reference count may drop to zero and the associated data structure is freed before it is accessed again, leading to a potential memory corruption. This issue was reproducible with the Linux Test Project (LTP) and is addressed by adding synchronize_rcu() to ensure safe synchronization. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions and has been fixed in several patched releases. The CVSS score is 7.8 (high severity).
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-21727 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-21727 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/e01780ea4661172734118d2a5f41bc9720765668 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ae2f332cfd2d74cf3ce344ec9938cf3e29c3ccd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/573ac9c70bf7885dc85d82fa44550581bfc3b738 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/80231f069240d52e98b6a317456c67b2eafd0781 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bbccae982e9fa1d7abcb23a5ec81cb0ec883f7de (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e01780ea4661172734118d2a5f41bc9720765668 (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)