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CVE Record

CVE-2025-21899: tracing: Fix bad hist from corrupting named_triggers list

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Fix bad hist from corrupting named_triggers list The following commands causes a crash: ~# cd /sys/kernel/tracing/events/rcu/rcu_callback ~# echo 'hist:name=bad:keys=common_pid:onmax(bogus).save(common_pid)' > trigger bash: echo: write error: Invalid argument ~# echo 'hist:name=bad:keys=common_pid' > trigger Because the following occurs: event_trigger_write() { trigger_process_regex() { event_hist_trigger_parse() { data = event_trigger_alloc(..); event_trigger_register(.., data) { cmd_ops->reg(.., data, ..) [hist_register_trigger()] { data->ops->init() [event_hist_trigger_init()] { save_named_trigger(name, data) { list_add(&data->named_list, &named_triggers); } } } } ret = create_actions(); (return -EINVAL) if (ret) goto out_unreg; [..] ret = hist_trigger_enable(data, ...) { list_add_tail_rcu(&data->list, &file->triggers); <<<---- SKIPPED!!! (this is important!) [..] out_unreg: event_hist_unregister(.., data) { cmd_ops->unreg(.., data, ..) [hist_unregister_trigger()] { list_for_each_entry(iter, &file->triggers, list) { if (!hist_trigger_match(data, iter, named_data, false)) <- never matches continue; [..] test = iter; } if (test && test->ops->free) <<<-- test is NULL test->ops->free(test) [event_hist_trigger_free()] { [..] if (data->name) del_named_trigger(data) { list_del(&data->named_list); <<<<-- NEVER gets removed! } } } } [..] kfree(data); <<<-- frees item but it is still on list The next time a hist with name is registered, it causes an u-a-f bug and the kernel can crash. Move the code around such that if event_trigger_register() succeeds, the next thing called is hist_trigger_enable() which adds it to the list. A bunch of actions is called if get_named_trigger_data() returns false. But that doesn't need to be called after event_trigger_register(), so it can be moved up, allowing event_trigger_register() to be called just before hist_trigger_enable() keeping them together and allowing the file->triggers to be properly populated.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A malformed Linux tracing histogram request can leave a freed object referenced by kernel bookkeeping. A later named histogram registration can use that stale reference and crash the kernel. The issue is local rather than directly network reachable, and is most concerning where lower-privileged users can access tracing controls.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority local kernel issue, especially on shared or exposed compute systems. It is less urgent than a remotely exploitable flaw on tightly controlled single-user hosts, but a successful crash could disrupt critical workloads. Patch through supported distribution channels and verify the running kernel after reboot.

Technical view

Failed histogram action creation occurs after registration in named_triggers but before insertion into file->triggers. Unregistration cannot find the trigger, so its allocation is freed while the named-list entry remains. A subsequent named histogram registration accesses that stale entry, causing a use-after-free and potentially a kernel crash.

Likely exposure

Exposure applies to affected Linux kernels when a local user can write tracing event trigger controls. Multi-user hosts and systems granting tracing access beyond trusted administrators deserve priority. The bundle does not provide complete distribution package mappings or unambiguous vulnerable-version boundaries, so confirm status through the relevant Linux vendor.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes local, low-complexity exploitation requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The supplied sources demonstrate a use-after-free and kernel crash. CVE-2025-21899 is not listed as KEV, and the bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation or a reliable privilege-escalation technique.

Researcher notes

The confirmed primitive is a tracing-subsystem use-after-free caused by inconsistent named_triggers and file->triggers list state. The supplied description establishes a reproducible crash. Although CVSS scores confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts as high, the sources do not establish practical code execution, privilege escalation, or exploitation in the wild. Affected-version data contains duplication and requires vendor confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Install the vendor kernel containing the applicable stable fix, then reboot into the updated kernel.
  • Follow distribution-specific package guidance instead of relying solely on upstream kernel version numbers.
  • Until patched, restrict tracing controls to trusted administrators and minimize untrusted local access.
  • Prioritize shared systems where lower-privileged users may have access to kernel tracing facilities.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and distribution package releases across affected systems.
  • Compare each package release with its vendor advisory and the applicable upstream stable fix.
  • Confirm systems rebooted into the updated kernel rather than merely installing it.
  • Review permissions on tracing event trigger controls and investigate unexpected trigger activity.
  • Avoid reproducing the malformed trigger sequence on production systems because it can crash the kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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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CVE-2025-21899 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

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
1ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-21899Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux067fe038e70f6e64960d26a79c4df5f1413d0f13, 067fe038e70f6e64960d26a79c4df5f1413d0f13, 067fe038e70f6e64960d26a79c4df5f1413d0f13, 067fe038e70f6e64960d26a79c4df5f1413d0f13, 067fe038e70f6e64960d26a79c4df5f1413d0f13unaffected
LinuxLinux4.17, 0, 6.1.130, 6.6.81, 6.12.18, 6.13.6, 6.14affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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