CVE-2025-21786

workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool

Published Feb 27, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool

The commit 68f83057b913("workqueue: Reap workers via kthread_stop() and
remove detach_completion") adds code to reap the normal workers but
mistakenly does not handle the rescuer and also removes the code waiting
for the rescuer in put_unbound_pool(), which caused a use-after-free bug
reported by Cheung Wall.

To avoid the use-after-free bug, the pool’s reference must be held until
the detachment is complete. Therefore, move the code that puts the pwq
after detaching the rescuer from the pool.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-5141 In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool The commit 68f83057b913("workqueue: Reap workers via kthread_stop() and remove detach_completion") adds code to reap the normal workers but mistakenly does not handle the rescuer and also removes the code waiting for the rescuer in put_unbound_pool(), which caused a use-after-free bug reported by Cheung Wall. To avoid the use-after-free bug, the pool’s reference must be held until the detachment is complete. Therefore, move the code that puts the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool.
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7521-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7521-2 Linux kernel (AWS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7521-3 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7703-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7703-2 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7703-3 Linux kernel (Oracle) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7703-4 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7719-1 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi Real-time) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7737-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool The commit 68f83057b913("workqueue: Reap workers via kthread_stop() and remove detach_completion") adds code to reap the normal workers but mistakenly does not handle the rescuer and also removes the code waiting for the rescuer in put_unbound_pool(), which caused a use-after-free bug reported by Cheung Wall. To avoid the use-after-free bug, the pool’s reference must be held until the detachment is complete. Therefore, move the code that puts the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool.
Title workqueue: Put the pwq after detaching the rescuer from the pool
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Aug 5, 2026, 11:54 AM
Reserved
Dec 29, 2024, 8:45 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Feb 27, 2025, 3:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 8:44 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Feb 27, 2025, 12:00 AM