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CVE Record

CVE-2025-40105: vfs: Don't leak disconnected dentries on umount

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vfs: Don't leak disconnected dentries on umount When user calls open_by_handle_at() on some inode that is not cached, we will create disconnected dentry for it. If such dentry is a directory, exportfs_decode_fh_raw() will then try to connect this dentry to the dentry tree through reconnect_path(). It may happen for various reasons (such as corrupted fs or race with rename) that the call to lookup_one_unlocked() in reconnect_one() will fail to find the dentry we are trying to reconnect and instead create a new dentry under the parent. Now this dentry will not be marked as disconnected although the parent still may well be disconnected (at least in case this inconsistency happened because the fs is corrupted and .. doesn't point to the real parent directory). This creates inconsistency in disconnected flags but AFAICS it was mostly harmless. At least until commit f1ee616214cb ("VFS: don't keep disconnected dentries on d_anon") which removed adding of most disconnected dentries to sb->s_anon list. Thus after this commit cleanup of disconnected dentries implicitely relies on the fact that dput() will immediately reclaim such dentries. However when some leaf dentry isn't marked as disconnected, as in the scenario described above, the reclaim doesn't happen and the dentries are "leaked". Memory reclaim can eventually reclaim them but otherwise they stay in memory and if umount comes first, we hit infamous "Busy inodes after unmount" bug. Make sure all dentries created under a disconnected parent are marked as disconnected as well.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux VFS flaw can leave filesystem directory entries in memory when path reconnection fails, potentially causing “Busy inodes after unmount.” The supplied CVSS vector indicates local, low-privilege access, so direct internet exposure is not the primary concern. Systems performing filesystem mount or unmount operations on affected kernels warrant prompt review.

Executive priority

Treat this as high-priority maintenance, especially on multi-user Linux systems or hosts with frequent filesystem lifecycle operations. The local attack vector reduces emergency internet-facing urgency, but possible unmount failures and the assigned 7.8 score justify timely vendor-supported kernel updates and confirmation that repaired kernels are active.

Technical view

open_by_handle_at() can create a disconnected dentry. If reconnection creates a child beneath a disconnected parent without marking the child disconnected, dput() may not reclaim it immediately. The resulting dentry leak can persist until memory reclaim and cause busy inodes during unmount. The referenced kernel fixes propagate the disconnected state correctly.

Likely exposure

The bundle identifies affected Linux kernel releases across branches from 4.16 through 6.18, with branch-specific fixes. Exact distribution package status cannot be inferred from upstream version numbers alone. Exposure requires an affected running kernel, local access, and the documented filesystem inconsistency or rename-race conditions.

Exploitation context

The supplied record is not marked as CISA KEV, and no provided source reports active exploitation or a public weaponized exploit. The description identifies corrupted filesystem state and a rename race as possible triggering conditions. Practical exploitability and reliable security impact beyond memory retention and unmount failure are not established here.

Researcher notes

The bundle assigns CVSS 3.1 score 7.8 with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. However, its technical narrative directly demonstrates dentry retention and possible unmount failure; it does not explain confidentiality or integrity consequences. Researchers should avoid inferring those impacts without additional evidence and should evaluate each stable branch independently.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix or an equivalent distributor backport.
  • Reboot into the fixed kernel so the remediation becomes active.
  • Review relevant Linux distributor and Siemens guidance for product-specific packages and maintenance requirements.

Validation and detection

  • Record each system’s running kernel release and compare it with authoritative vendor vulnerability status.
  • Confirm the active kernel contains the applicable stable fix or a documented vendor backport.
  • After reboot, verify the fixed kernel is running rather than merely installed.
  • Review operational logs for recurring “Busy inodes after unmount” events.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
11

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-2025-40105 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
10Source 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-2025-40105Attack 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

siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxf1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02, f1ee616214cb22410e939d963bbb2349c2570f02unaffected
LinuxLinux4.16, 0, 5.4.301, 5.10.246, 5.15.196, 6.1.158, 6.6.114, 6.12.55, 6.17.5, 6.18affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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