CVE-2025-21635: rds: sysctl: rds_tcp_{rcv,snd}buf: avoid using current->nsproxy
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
rds: sysctl: rds_tcp_{rcv,snd}buf: avoid using current->nsproxy
As mentioned in a previous commit of this series, using the 'net'
structure via 'current' is not recommended for different reasons:
- Inconsistency: getting info from the reader's/writer's netns vs only
from the opener's netns.
- current->nsproxy can be NULL in some cases, resulting in an 'Oops'
(null-ptr-deref), e.g. when the current task is exiting, as spotted by
syzbot [1] using acct(2).
The per-netns structure can be obtained from the table->data using
container_of(), then the 'net' one can be retrieved from the listen
socket (if available).
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2025-21635 is a Linux kernel flaw that can crash an affected system. A local user with low privileges may trigger a null pointer dereference in RDS TCP buffer sysctl handling, causing a kernel Oops and denial of service. It is not described as allowing data theft or code execution.
Executive priority
Treat this as a routine but real availability risk. It deserves timely kernel maintenance, especially on shared Linux hosts, build systems, container platforms, and other environments with untrusted local users.
Technical view
The issue is a CWE-476 null pointer dereference in rds_tcp_rcvbuf and rds_tcp_sndbuf sysctl code. The vulnerable logic used current->nsproxy to find namespace state, but that pointer can be NULL while a task is exiting. The kernel fix avoids current->nsproxy and derives the network namespace through safer per-netns data paths.
Likely exposure
Exposure is primarily Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the vulnerable RDS sysctl code reachable by local low-privileged users. Distribution kernels may differ because of backports, so version strings alone are insufficient for final exposure decisions.
Exploitation context
The CVE is local, low-complexity, low-privilege, and availability-only by CVSS. The source bundle says syzbot observed the crash pattern. It does not state public exploitation, weaponized exploit availability, or KEV listing.
Researcher notes
Key evidence points to a kernel Oops caused by current->nsproxy being NULL during task exit. The provided fixes change namespace lookup for RDS TCP sysctl handling. No confidentiality or integrity impact is claimed in the provided CVSS vector.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable Linux fixes.
Check distribution advisories for CVE-2025-21635 backport status.
Prioritize systems where untrusted local users or workloads run.
Reboot or live-patch as required so the fixed kernel is active.
If no update is available, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions across Linux hosts.
Confirm vendor packages reference CVE-2025-21635 or the stable commit IDs.
Verify the active booted kernel is the fixed build.
Check vulnerability scanners against vendor backport data, not upstream version only.
Document any unpatched systems with business owner and update plan.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-476 · source CWE mapping
NULL Pointer Dereference
NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.