CVE-2025-21863: Linux kernel · io_uring: prevent opcode speculation
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.15.0-186.196~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 18% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-186.196~20.04.1, 5.15.0-184.194~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1064.66~20.04.1 +43
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 12 Mar 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: 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 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.8.0-78.78?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.8.0-1035.37?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.8.0-1034.39?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11@6.11.0-1015.15~24.04.1?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-nvidiapkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia@6.8.0-1022.23?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.8.0-1036.38?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.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: io_uring: prevent opcode speculation sqe->opcode is used for different tables, make sure we santitise it against speculations.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-21863 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-21863 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/1e988c3fe1264708f4f92109203ac5b1d65de50b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1e988c3fe1264708f4f92109203ac5b1d65de50b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/506b9b5e8c2d2a411ea8fe361333f5081c56d23a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b9826e3b26ec031e9063f64a7c735449c43955e4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fdbfd52bd8b85ed6783365ff54c82ab7067bd61b (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7521-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7703-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7703-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7703-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7719-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7703-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7737-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-2 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21863 (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/18eae8420081ef8e043ad455937bfb470ef08607 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/87e9eef43c758da267f6332678058a79764c7eba (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d261ead565a080e3411b0dd04e6d58a52471cac8 (opens in a new tab)