VulnerabilityPublished 2 Oct 2025Updated 30 Oct 2026

CVE-2025-21796: linux-fips, linux-gcp-fips vulnerabilities

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

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Not known to be exploited · fixed in 5.4.0-1125.135 : patch Linux kernel soon.

Data as of 31 Oct 2026, 01:29 UTC

Severity

High

Rated High by Threat Radar's AI analysis · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA

Patch: Available – fixed in 5.4.0-1125.135, 5.4.0-1154.163+fips1

Exploitation evidence

Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 2 Oct 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 30 Oct 2026.

Disclosed: The CVE record is public on cve.org. Its publication is t = 0.
Detectable: A public nuclei template can find exposed instances, for defenders and attackers alike.
Weaponized: A Metasploit exploit module or Exploit-DB entry exists (Metasploit scanner modules do not count), or CISA SSVC or the CVSS exploit maturity reports a public proof of concept.
Exploited in the wild: CISA KEV lists it, CISA SSVC rates exploitation active, or a source reports attacks.
Observed by OffSeq Mirage: OffSeq Mirage honeypot sensors recorded attack traffic for this CVE, or found exposed hosts without attack traffic.

Moments are spaced evenly, not to scale; a dashed line marks a gap of six months or more. Deltas count from t = 0. Sources that give only a date (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, or a time of exactly 00:00Z) read “same day” rather than hours. Metasploit modules carry the flaw’s disclosure date, not their release date, and nuclei templates carry no date, so both appear above but not on the timeline.

usn-7795-2

What to do

Upgrade the Ubuntu to 5.4.0-1125.135 (linux-fips package) or 5.4.0-1154.163+fips1 (linux-gcp-fips package).

Patches and advisories

ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7795-2 (opens in a new tab)

Affected software

Product	Affected	Fixed in
Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTSlinux-fips`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-fips?arch=source&distro=fips-updates/focal`Other threats	Affected <5.4.0-1125.135	Fixed in 5.4.0-1125.135
Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTSlinux-gcp-fips`pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips?arch=source&distro=fips-updates/focal`Other threats	Affected <5.4.0-1154.163+fips1	Fixed in 5.4.0-1154.163+fips1

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

AI-suggested

Apply the security updates provided by Ubuntu in the linux-fips and linux-gcp-fips packages at versions 5.4.0-1125.135 or later and 5.4.0-1154.163+fips1 or later. After updating, reboot the system to activate the fixes. Recompile and reinstall all third-party kernel modules due to an ABI change introduced by the update. Follow the official Ubuntu security notice USN-7795-2 for detailed update instructions.

Description

Multiple security vulnerabilities were identified in the Linux kernel affecting several subsystems including Ext4, NFS server daemon, packet sockets, network traffic control, and VMware vSockets driver. These flaws could potentially allow an attacker to compromise the system. The issues are addressed in updated Linux kernel packages provided by Ubuntu with FIPS certification. Users must apply these updates and reboot their systems. Due to ABI changes, recompilation of third-party kernel modules is required after the update.

References

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