CVE-2025-21731: Linux kernel · nbd: don't allow reconnect after disconnect
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 10 Nov 2026, 14:02 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CISA-ADP | CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 |
|---|
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 10 Nov 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
A fix is available that clears the NBD_RT_BOUND flag during the disconnect process to prevent reconnection and use-after-free. Users should apply the official Linux kernel patches that address this issue once released. Until patched, avoiding use of the nbd subsystem or restricting access to it may reduce risk.
Description
CVE-2025-21731 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Network Block Device (nbd) subsystem. The flaw occurs when a reconnect is allowed after a disconnect, leading to a reference counting error and subsequent use-after-free of nbd_config. This can result in high impact including confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise. The issue is fixed by clearing a specific flag during disconnect to prevent reconnection attempts.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e70a578487a47d7cf058904141e586684d1c3381 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6bef6222a3f6c7adb6396f77f25a3579d821b09a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3be8862d73cac833e0fb7602636c19c6cb94b11 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e7343fa33751cb07c1c56b666bf37cfca357130e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d208d2c52b652913b5eefc8ca434b0d6b757f68f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8ee6ecde2b7bfb58c8a3afe8a9d2b848f580739 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9793bd5ae4bdbdb2dde401a3cab94a6bfd05e302 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/844b8cdc681612ff24df62cdefddeab5772fadf1 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00030.html (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00028.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-457936.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784472.html (opens in a new tab)