CVE-2025-21878: Linux kernel · i2c: npcm: disable interrupt enable bit before devm_request_irq
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 5.15.0-1084.91~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 19:33 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1084.91~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1089.98~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1083.92~20.04.1 +65
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 27 Mar 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 as listed in the fixedVersions. Users should apply the official kernel updates from their distribution vendors and reboot the system to remediate the issue. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
CVE-2025-21878 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's i2c npcm driver that causes a soft lockup due to continuous interrupt triggering after a warm reboot. The issue occurs because the interrupt enable bit is not disabled before requesting the IRQ, leading to the irq handler being repeatedly triggered without reset. This results in the system hanging and rebooting due to the soft lockup watchdog timer. The vulnerability has been fixed by disabling the interrupt enable bit prior to calling devm_request_irq.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-21878 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-21878 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/dd1998e243f5fa25d348a384ba0b6c84d980f2b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/12d0e39916705b68d2d8ba20a8e35d1d27afc260 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b267e1b87d52b16e7dfcc7ab2ab760f6f8f9ca9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/545b563eb00d0576775da4011b3f7ffefc9e8c60 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/846e371631c57365eeb89e5db1ab0f344169af93 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd1998e243f5fa25d348a384ba0b6c84d980f2b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3aea1dba97d31eceed7b622000af0406988b9c8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f32d7b4dc6e791523c70e83049645dcba2a2aa33 (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)