CVE-2025-40024: Linux kernel · vhost: Take a reference on the task in struct vhost_task.
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1 +2
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 24 Oct 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 |
|---|---|---|
| linux-hwe-edge | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel to address this vulnerability by properly managing references to task_struct in vhost_task. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions once available. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the provided data; therefore, check the official Linux kernel advisories or vendor advisories for the specific patch availability and apply updates accordingly.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vhost: Take a reference on the task in struct vhost_task. vhost_task_create() creates a task and keeps a reference to its task_struct. That task may exit early via a signal and its task_struct will be released. A pending vhost_task_wake() will then attempt to wake the task and access a task_struct which is no longer there. Acquire a reference on the task_struct while creating the thread and release the reference while the struct vhost_task itself is removed. If the task exits early due to a signal, then the vhost_task_wake() will still access a valid task_struct. The wake is safe and will be skipped in this case.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-40024 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ce635b3d3aba43296b62b5a2d97c008bc51cbd2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/82a1463c968b1a6ae598a4f2fcef17b71bb7d3a0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/afe16653e05db07d658b55245c7a2e0603f136c0 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2be773a92874a070215b51b730cb2b1eaa8fae2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-40024 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-40024 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/afe16653e05db07d658b55245c7a2e0603f136c0 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8100-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8125-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8126-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8095-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8165-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8261-1 (opens in a new tab)