CVE-2025-21652
7.8 · HIGHOverview
CVE-2025-21652 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on January 19, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.
Technical Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ipvlan: Fix use-after-free in ipvlan_get_iflink().
syzbot presented an use-after-free report [0] regarding ipvlan and
linkwatch.
ipvlan does not hold a refcnt of the lower device unlike vlan and
macvlan.
If the linkwatch work is triggered for the ipvlan dev, the lower dev
might have already been freed, resulting in UAF of ipvlan->phy_dev in
ipvlan_get_iflink().
We can delay the lower dev unregistration like vlan and macvlan by
holding the lower dev's refcnt in dev->netdev_ops->ndo_init() and
releasing it in dev->priv_destructor().
Jakub pointed out calling .ndo_XXX after unregister_netdevice() has
returned is error prone and suggested [1] addressing this UAF in the
core by taking commit 750e51603395 ("net: avoid potential UAF in
default_operstate()") further.
Let's assume unregistering devices DOWN and use RCU protection in
default_operstate() not to race with the device unregistration.
[0]:
BUG: KASAN: slab-us
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel | >= 6.2, < 6.6.72 | Affected |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2025-21652?
CVE-2025-21652 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on January 19, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).
How severe is CVE-2025-21652?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2025-21652?
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2025-21652?
CyberStrike's AI-powered security agents can automatically detect CVE-2025-21652 across your infrastructure using autonomous pentesting, DAST scanning, and HackBrowser. The platform continuously monitors for known vulnerabilities and provides actionable remediation guidance prioritized by real-world exploitability.
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