CVE-2025-21681: openvswitch: fix lockup on tx to unregistering netdev with carrier
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
openvswitch: fix lockup on tx to unregistering netdev with carrier
Commit in a fixes tag attempted to fix the issue in the following
sequence of calls:
do_output
-> ovs_vport_send
-> dev_queue_xmit
-> __dev_queue_xmit
-> netdev_core_pick_tx
-> skb_tx_hash
When device is unregistering, the 'dev->real_num_tx_queues' goes to
zero and the 'while (unlikely(hash >= qcount))' loop inside the
'skb_tx_hash' becomes infinite, locking up the core forever.
But unfortunately, checking just the carrier status is not enough to
fix the issue, because some devices may still be in unregistering
state while reporting carrier status OK.
One example of such device is a net/dummy. It sets carrier ON
on start, but it doesn't implement .ndo_stop to set the carrier off.
And it makes sense, because dummy doesn't really have a carrier.
Therefore, while this device is unregistering, it's still easy to hit
the infinite loop in the skb_tx_hash() from the OVS datapath. There
might be other drivers that do the same, but dummy by itself is
important for the OVS ecosystem, because it is frequently used as a
packet sink for tcpdump while debugging OVS deployments. And when the
issue is hit, the only way to recover is to reboot.
Fix that by also checking if the device is running. The running
state is handled by the net core during unregistering, so it covers
unregistering case better, and we don't really need to send packets
to devices that are not running anyway.
While only checking the running state might be enough, the carrier
check is preserved. The running and the carrier states seem disjoined
throughout the code and different drivers. And other core functions
like __dev_direct_xmit() check both before attempting to transmit
a packet. So, it seems safer to check both flags in OVS as well.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can make systems using Open vSwitch lock up when traffic is sent to a network device that is being unregistered. The documented impact is availability: affected systems may need a reboot to recover. No CVSS score or active exploitation evidence is provided in the source bundle.
Executive priority
Treat this as an availability risk for OVS-based infrastructure. Prioritize patching on virtualization, container networking, lab, and packet-capture systems where OVS and dynamic netdev handling are common.
Technical view
In the Open vSwitch datapath, transmitting to a netdev during unregistering can reach skb_tx_hash() with real_num_tx_queues set to zero, causing an infinite loop. The fix adds a running-state check alongside carrier checks before OVS transmits to the device.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux hosts using Open vSwitch, especially environments that create or remove netdevs such as dummy interfaces used for OVS debugging or packet capture workflows.
Exploitation context
The source describes a local kernel availability failure path, not remote code execution. KEV is false, and the bundle provides no evidence of public exploitation. Trigger conditions appear tied to OVS transmission during netdev unregistering.
Researcher notes
The evidence is strongest for a kernel lockup caused by tx queue count reaching zero during unregister. The source names dummy netdevs as an important example but does not prove all drivers or deployment patterns are affected.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
Check Debian or distribution advisories for packaged kernel availability.
Avoid unnecessary unregistering of OVS-connected netdevs during production traffic.
Review OVS debugging workflows that use dummy devices as packet sinks.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux systems running Open vSwitch.
Check kernel package versions against vendor advisories for CVE-2025-21681.
Confirm relevant stable kernel fixes are present in deployed kernels.
Review incident records for unexplained host lockups during OVS netdev removal.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
9Source links
Vulnerability timeline
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CVE reservedCVE Program
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Jan 31, 2025, 11:25 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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