Linux hwe edge: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vhost: Take a reference on the task in struct vhost_task. (CVE-2025-40024)
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.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vhost subsystem arises because vhost_task_create() keeps a reference to a task_struct that may be released if the task exits early due to a signal. A pending vhost_task_wake() could then attempt to access the freed task_struct, causing a use-after-free. The resolution involves acquiring a reference on the task_struct during thread creation and releasing it only when the vhost_task is removed, ensuring that vhost_task_wake() accesses a valid task_struct or safely skips the wake if the task exited.
Potential Impact
This vulnerability allows a use-after-free condition in the Linux kernel's vhost subsystem, which can lead to system instability or potentially allow an attacker with local privileges to escalate their privileges or cause denial of service. The CVSS vector indicates high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
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.
Linux hwe edge: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vhost: Take a reference on the task in struct vhost_task. (CVE-2025-40024)
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.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vhost subsystem arises because vhost_task_create() keeps a reference to a task_struct that may be released if the task exits early due to a signal. A pending vhost_task_wake() could then attempt to access the freed task_struct, causing a use-after-free. The resolution involves acquiring a reference on the task_struct during thread creation and releasing it only when the vhost_task is removed, ensuring that vhost_task_wake() accesses a valid task_struct or safely skips the wake if the task exited.
Potential Impact
This vulnerability allows a use-after-free condition in the Linux kernel's vhost subsystem, which can lead to system instability or potentially allow an attacker with local privileges to escalate their privileges or cause denial of service. The CVSS vector indicates high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
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.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-798j-2qwm-wpvm
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2025-40024"]
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a6b72d79c2644c7f847b7e8
Added to database: 07/30/2026, 15:50:47 UTC
Last enriched: 07/30/2026, 15:57:45 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:50 UTC
Views: 23
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