CVE-2025-71070: ublk: clean up user copy references on ublk server exit
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ublk: clean up user copy references on ublk server exit
If a ublk server process releases a ublk char device file, any requests
dispatched to the ublk server but not yet completed will retain a ref
value of UBLK_REFCOUNT_INIT. Before commit e63d2228ef83 ("ublk: simplify
aborting ublk request"), __ublk_fail_req() would decrement the reference
count before completing the failed request. However, that commit
optimized __ublk_fail_req() to call __ublk_complete_rq() directly
without decrementing the request reference count.
The leaked reference count incorrectly allows user copy and zero copy
operations on the completed ublk request. It also triggers the
WARN_ON_ONCE(refcount_read(&io->ref)) warnings in ublk_queue_reinit()
and ublk_deinit_queue().
Commit c5c5eb24ed61 ("ublk: avoid ublk_io_release() called after ublk
char dev is closed") already fixed the issue for ublk devices using
UBLK_F_SUPPORT_ZERO_COPY or UBLK_F_AUTO_BUF_REG. However, the reference
count leak also affects UBLK_F_USER_COPY, the other reference-counted
data copy mode. Fix the condition in ublk_check_and_reset_active_ref()
to include all reference-counted data copy modes. This ensures that any
ublk requests still owned by the ublk server when it exits have their
reference counts reset to 0.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux ublk block-device server can leave unfinished requests with stale references when the server exits. Those references may permit data-copy operations after request completion, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation requires local, low-privileged access and relevant ublk usage; ordinary systems not using ublk are unlikely to be exposed.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for multi-user hosts, virtualization platforms, storage services, or appliances confirmed to use ublk. Treat other Linux systems as lower immediate urgency until exposure is validated. Because successful exploitation could affect all three security properties, affected ublk deployments should receive prompt vendor-approved kernel updates.
Technical view
The regression changed request-abort handling without decrementing the reference count. On ublk server exit, dispatched but incomplete requests can retain UBLK_REFCOUNT_INIT. Existing cleanup covered zero-copy and automatic buffer registration, but not UBLK_F_USER_COPY. The fix resets active references for every reference-counted data-copy mode.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernels and using ublk with reference-counted data-copy modes, including UBLK_F_USER_COPY. The vulnerable condition requires a ublk server to exit while dispatched requests remain incomplete. The supplied version data identifies 6.15, 6.18.3, and 6.19 as affected, but distribution backports require vendor confirmation.
Exploitation context
The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The supplied record is not in KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. Practical reach depends on local access, ublk availability, and a server-exit race involving outstanding requests.
Researcher notes
The flaw is a request-lifecycle reference-count leak introduced by changed abort handling. The security boundary depends on whether stale completed requests remain reachable for user-copy or zero-copy operations. The sources describe the faulty state and corrective condition, but do not document demonstrated exploitation, attack reliability, or affected distribution packages.
Mitigation direction
Identify kernel packages containing either referenced stable fix commit or an equivalent vendor backport.
Apply the appropriate fixed kernel update following Linux distribution or appliance vendor guidance.
Prioritize systems where untrusted local users can access workloads or services using ublk.
Reboot into the updated kernel and verify the running version, following vendor instructions.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions and map distribution backports against the referenced stable commits.
Determine whether ublk devices and servers are configured or active on each system.
Check kernel logs for ublk_queue_reinit or ublk_deinit_queue reference-count warnings.
Confirm patched source includes UBLK_F_USER_COPY in active-reference cleanup on server exit.
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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1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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