CVE-2025-21867: bpf, test_run: Fix use-after-free issue in eth_skb_pkt_type()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf, test_run: Fix use-after-free issue in eth_skb_pkt_type()
KMSAN reported a use-after-free issue in eth_skb_pkt_type()[1]. The
cause of the issue was that eth_skb_pkt_type() accessed skb's data
that didn't contain an Ethernet header. This occurs when
bpf_prog_test_run_xdp() passes an invalid value as the user_data
argument to bpf_test_init().
Fix this by returning an error when user_data is less than ETH_HLEN in
bpf_test_init(). Additionally, remove the check for "if (user_size >
size)" as it is unnecessary.
[1]
BUG: KMSAN: use-after-free in eth_skb_pkt_type include/linux/etherdevice.h:627 [inline]
BUG: KMSAN: use-after-free in eth_type_trans+0x4ee/0x980 net/ethernet/eth.c:165
eth_skb_pkt_type include/linux/etherdevice.h:627 [inline]
eth_type_trans+0x4ee/0x980 net/ethernet/eth.c:165
__xdp_build_skb_from_frame+0x5a8/0xa50 net/core/xdp.c:635
xdp_recv_frames net/bpf/test_run.c:272 [inline]
xdp_test_run_batch net/bpf/test_run.c:361 [inline]
bpf_test_run_xdp_live+0x2954/0x3330 net/bpf/test_run.c:390
bpf_prog_test_run_xdp+0x148e/0x1b10 net/bpf/test_run.c:1318
bpf_prog_test_run+0x5b7/0xa30 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4371
__sys_bpf+0x6a6/0xe20 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5777
__do_sys_bpf kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5866 [inline]
__se_sys_bpf kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5864 [inline]
__x64_sys_bpf+0xa4/0xf0 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5864
x64_sys_call+0x2ea0/0x3d90 arch/x86/include/generated/asm/syscalls_64.h:322
do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:52 [inline]
do_syscall_64+0xd9/0x1d0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:83
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f
Uninit was created at:
free_pages_prepare mm/page_alloc.c:1056 [inline]
free_unref_page+0x156/0x1320 mm/page_alloc.c:2657
__free_pages+0xa3/0x1b0 mm/page_alloc.c:4838
bpf_ringbuf_free kernel/bpf/ringbuf.c:226 [inline]
ringbuf_map_free+0xff/0x1e0 kernel/bpf/ringbuf.c:235
bpf_map_free kernel/bpf/syscall.c:838 [inline]
bpf_map_free_deferred+0x17c/0x310 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:862
process_one_work kernel/workqueue.c:3229 [inline]
process_scheduled_works+0xa2b/0x1b60 kernel/workqueue.c:3310
worker_thread+0xedf/0x1550 kernel/workqueue.c:3391
kthread+0x535/0x6b0 kernel/kthread.c:389
ret_from_fork+0x6e/0x90 arch/x86/kernel/process.c:147
ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:244
CPU: 1 UID: 0 PID: 17276 Comm: syz.1.16450 Not tainted 6.12.0-05490-g9bb88c659673 #8
Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 1.16.3-3.fc41 04/01/2014
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux kernel memory-safety flaw can be triggered through the BPF XDP testing path when undersized packet data is accepted. It requires local access according to the supplied CVSS vector. Successful exploitation could theoretically compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability, but the sources do not demonstrate a working exploit or real-world attacks.
Executive priority
Prioritize prompt remediation on shared or otherwise locally accessible Linux systems. The potential impact is high, but network-only attackers cannot directly trigger the flaw according to the supplied vector. Use normal accelerated kernel patching and reboot procedures rather than declaring an emergency based on unsupported exploitation claims.
Technical view
The BPF XDP test-run path accepted user data shorter than an Ethernet header. Later, eth_skb_pkt_type() assumed that header existed and accessed invalid backing data, producing a KMSAN-detected use-after-free. The kernel fix rejects input shorter than ETH_HLEN and removes an unnecessary size check.
Likely exposure
Systems running affected Linux kernel branches may be exposed when a local, low-privileged principal can reach the BPF XDP test-run path. The supplied version list is flattened and does not establish precise vulnerable ranges. Map installed kernels against Linux stable commits and applicable Debian, Siemens, or other vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The reported KMSAN reproducer ran as UID 0, so practical low-privilege exploitability is not demonstrated here.
Researcher notes
This is CWE-416 in the XDP test-run packet construction flow. The core invariant is that Ethernet processing requires at least ETH_HLEN bytes. Evidence establishes a sanitizer-detected memory-safety failure and a code-level fix, but does not establish reliable privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, affected configuration prerequisites, or public exploitation.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable Linux stable fix or an equivalent backport.
Reboot into the updated kernel and confirm the vulnerable kernel is no longer running.
Consult the relevant distribution or appliance advisory for exact affected and fixed package versions.
If updating is delayed, request vendor-approved temporary controls; none are specified in the supplied sources.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions and identify systems exposing local access to untrusted principals.
Map each kernel package to its vendor advisory rather than relying on the ambiguous bundled version list.
Confirm the deployed kernel contains the applicable cited fix commit or documented vendor backport.
After rebooting, verify systems are running the remediated kernel package.
Review security monitoring for abnormal local BPF activity, without treating its absence as proof of safety.
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.
2CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
3ADP providers
8Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
2 official scores
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-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.