CVE-2025-21897

MEDIUM EPSS 3.1%
Published Apr 1, 20251y ago · Modified Jun 17, 20261w ago
5.5 CVSS 3.1
Medium
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Published Apr 1, 2025 1y ago
Last Modified Jun 17, 2026 1w ago

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Fix pick_task_scx() picking non-queued tasks when it's called without balance() a6250aa251ea ("sched_ext: Handle cases where pick_task_scx() is called without preceding balance_scx()") added a workaround to handle the cases where pick_task_scx() is called without prececing balance_scx() which is due to a fair class bug where pick_taks_fair() may return NULL after a true return from balance_fair(). The workaround detects when pick_task_scx() is called without preceding balance_scx() and emulates SCX_RQ_BAL_KEEP and triggers kicking to avoid stalling. Unfortunately, the workaround code was testing whether @prev was on SCX to decide whether to keep the task running. This is incorrect as the task may be on SCX but no longer runnable. This could lead to a non-runnable task to be returned from pick_task_scx() which cause interesting confusions and failures. e.g. A common failure mode is the task ending up with (!on_rq && on_cpu) state which can cause potential wakers to busy loop, which can easily lead to deadlocks. Fix it by testing whether @prev has SCX_TASK_QUEUED set. This makes @prev_on_scx only used in one place. Open code the usage and improve the comment while at it.

CVSS Details

Base Score
5.5
Exploitability
1.8
Impact
3.6
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Attack Vector Local
Attack Complexity Low
Privileges Required Low
User Interaction None
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality None
Integrity None
Availability High

Threat Intelligence

EPSS Exploit Probability
3.1% percentile
Exploit & Patch Status
No Known Exploit
Patch Available

Weaknesses 1

CWE-667

Affected Products 7

VendorProductVersionRange
linuxlinux_kernel*≥6.12.1  –  <6.12.18
linuxlinux_kernel*≥6.13  –  <6.13.6
linuxlinux_kernel6.12any
linuxlinux_kernel6.14any
linuxlinux_kernel6.14any
linuxlinux_kernel6.14any
linuxlinux_kernel6.14any

References 3

  • git.kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5324c459f90d16b0c43a78b494c598915d782b7a
    Patch
  • git.kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8fef0a3b17bb258130a4fcbcb5addf94b25e9ec5
    Patch
  • git.kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/de60a31cb0bcacfaf9487546eac5e70e0a9c66d7
    Patch

Remediation

  • git.kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5324c459f90d16b0c43a78b494c598915d782b7a
    Patch
  • git.kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8fef0a3b17bb258130a4fcbcb5addf94b25e9ec5
    Patch
  • git.kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/de60a31cb0bcacfaf9487546eac5e70e0a9c66d7
    Patch