In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
padata: fix UAF in padata_reorder
A bug was found when run ltp test:
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in padata_find_next+0x29/0x1a0
Read of size 4 at addr ffff88bbfe003524 by task kworker/u113:2/3039206
CPU: 0 PID: 3039206 Comm: kworker/u113:2 Kdump: loaded Not tainted 6.6.0+
Workqueue: pdecrypt_parallel padata_parallel_worker
Call Trace:
<TASK>
dump_stack_lvl+0x32/0x50
print_address_description.constprop.0+0x6b/0x3d0
print_report+0xdd/0x2c0
kasan_report+0xa5/0xd0
padata_find_next+0x29/0x1a0
padata_reorder+0x131/0x220
padata_parallel_worker+0x3d/0xc0
process_one_work+0x2ec/0x5a0
If 'mdelay(10)' is added before calling 'padata_find_next' in the
'padata_reorder' function, this issue could be reproduced easily with
ltp test (pcrypt_aead01).
This can be explained as bellow:
pcrypt_aead_encrypt
...
padata_do_parallel
refcount_inc(&pd->refcnt); // add refcnt
...
padata_do_serial
padata_reorder // pd
while (1) {
padata_find_next(pd, true); // using pd
queue_work_on
...
padata_serial_worker crypto_del_alg
padata_put_pd_cnt // sub refcnt
padata_free_shell
padata_put_pd(ps->pd);
// pd is freed
// loop again, but pd is freed
// call padata_find_next, UAF
}
In the padata_reorder function, when it loops in 'while', if the alg is
deleted, the refcnt may be decreased to 0 before entering
'padata_find_next', which leads to UAF.
As mentioned in [1], do_serial is supposed to be called with BHs disabled
and always happen under RCU protection, to address this issue, add
synchronize_rcu() in 'padata_free_shell' wait for all _do_serial calls
to finish.
[1] https://lore.kernel.org/all/20221028160401.cccypv4euxikusiq@parnassus.localdomain/
[2] https://lore.kernel.org/linux-kernel/jfjz5d7zwbytztackem7ibzalm5lnxldi2eofeiczqmqs2m7o6@fq426cwnjtkm/
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2025-21727 is a Linux kernel use-after-free flaw in padata, a parallel processing framework used by kernel subsystems such as crypto paths. A local authenticated user could potentially affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability. Treat exposed Linux systems as high priority, especially shared servers, appliances, and systems running vendor kernels with this fix pending.
Executive priority
Handle as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue. It is not evidenced as actively exploited, but successful abuse could have serious host impact and may cross tenant or user boundaries on shared systems. Patch through normal emergency or accelerated kernel-update processes based on local exposure.
Technical view
The bug occurs in padata_reorder when padata_find_next can reuse a freed pd structure after reference count teardown during algorithm deletion. The resolved fix adds RCU synchronization in padata_free_shell so in-flight do_serial paths finish before freeing related state. Sources classify it as CWE-416 with CVSS 3.1 score 7.8, AV:L/PR:L/UI:N.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions or vendor builds without the padata fix. Cloud hosts, containers, and appliances inherit risk from the host kernel. Distribution and device-vendor backports may change version-based conclusions, so package advisory status matters more than raw upstream version alone.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or public active exploitation. The bug was reproduced with Linux Test Project pcrypt testing and KASAN. The CVSS vector requires local privileges, so the main concern is local privilege-boundary impact, multi-user systems, and workloads where untrusted users can run code.
Researcher notes
Focus review on padata_reorder, padata_find_next, padata_free_shell, reference counting, and RCU lifetime guarantees. The provided evidence supports a local attack surface and a race/lifetime bug, but does not provide confirmed exploit availability, affected configuration prerequisites, or complete downstream package status.
Mitigation direction
Apply the Linux stable kernel update or vendor package containing the padata fix.
Check Debian LTS advisories if running affected Debian kernel packages.
For Siemens products, follow SSA-265688 product-specific guidance.
Prioritize shared, multi-user, internet-facing, and appliance hosts first.
If no vendor package exists, monitor official kernel and vendor advisories.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions and vendor package revisions across affected assets.
Confirm whether vendor changelogs include CVE-2025-21727 or the padata fix.
Map appliances and embedded products to Siemens or other vendor advisories.
Verify patched hosts rebooted into the updated kernel, not only installed it.
Run normal kernel and crypto workload regression tests after patching.
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
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-416: 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.
1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
3ADP providers
11Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-416 · source CWE mapping
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.