CVE-2025-22094: Linux kernel · powerpc/perf: Fix ref-counting on the PMU 'vpa_pmu
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 23:35 UTC
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 16 Apr 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 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
A fix is available that adds proper module ownership and reference counting to the 'vpa_pmu' module, preventing it from being unloaded while perf-events are active. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix. Since no vendor advisory or patch links are provided, check the Linux kernel mailing lists or official repositories for the relevant patch and update accordingly.
Description
A flaw in the Linux kernel's powerpc/perf subsystem involving the 'vpa_pmu' module's reference counting was fixed. The issue allowed the 'vpa_pmu' module to be unloaded while perf-events were still active, leading to kernel NULL pointer dereference and potential kernel panic on affected systems. This vulnerability has a medium severity score and impacts system stability by causing crashes.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-22094 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6cf045b51e2c5721db7e55305f09ee32741e00f9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/70ea7c5189197c6f5acdcfd8a2651be2c41e2faa (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff99d5b6a246715f2257123cdf6c4a29cb33aa78 (opens in a new tab)