#VU106640 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2025-21979

Vulnerability identifier: #VU106640

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-21979

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the cfg80211_dev_free() function in net/wireless/core.c. A local user can escalate privileges on the system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 6.13, 6.13.1, 6.13.2, 6.13.3, 6.13.4, 6.13.5, 6.13.6, 6.13.7

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0272d4af7f92997541d8bbf4c51918b93ded6ee2
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/72d520476a2fab6f3489e8388ab524985d6c4b90
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75d262ad3c36d52852d764588fcd887f0fcd9138
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5158d67bff06cb6fea31be39aeb319fd908ed8e
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dea22de162058216a90f2706f0d0b36f0ff309fd
https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/ChangeLog-6.13.8

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.