CVE-2025-21702

HIGH
2025-02-18 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
7.8
CVSS 3.1
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CVSS VectorNVD

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

Lifecycle Timeline

3
Analysis Generated
Mar 28, 2026 - 18:27 vuln.today
Patch Released
Mar 28, 2026 - 18:27 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Feb 18, 2025 - 15:15 nvd
HIGH 7.8

DescriptionNVD

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

pfifo_tail_enqueue: Drop new packet when sch->limit == 0

Expected behaviour: In case we reach scheduler's limit, pfifo_tail_enqueue() will drop a packet in scheduler's queue and decrease scheduler's qlen by one. Then, pfifo_tail_enqueue() enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by one. Finally, pfifo_tail_enqueue() return NET_XMIT_CN status code.

Weird behaviour: In case we set sch->limit == 0 and trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue() on a scheduler that has no packet, the 'drop a packet' step will do nothing. This means the scheduler's qlen still has value equal 0. Then, we continue to enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by one. In summary, we can leverage pfifo_tail_enqueue() to increase qlen by one and return NET_XMIT_CN status code.

The problem is: Let's say we have two qdiscs: Qdisc_A and Qdisc_B.

  • Qdisc_A's type must have '->graft()' function to create parent/child relationship.

Let's say Qdisc_A's type is hfsc. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger hfsc_enqueue.

  • Qdisc_B's type is pfifo_head_drop. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue.
  • Qdisc_B is configured to have sch->limit == 0.
  • Qdisc_A is configured to route the enqueued's packet to Qdisc_B.

Enqueue packet through Qdisc_A will lead to:

  • hfsc_enqueue(Qdisc_A) -> pfifo_tail_enqueue(Qdisc_B)
  • Qdisc_B->q.qlen += 1
  • pfifo_tail_enqueue() return NET_XMIT_CN
  • hfsc_enqueue() check for NET_XMIT_SUCCESS and see NET_XMIT_CN => hfsc_enqueue() don't increase qlen of Qdisc_A.

The whole process lead to a situation where Qdisc_A->q.qlen 0 and Qdisc_B->q.qlen 1. Replace 'hfsc' with other type (for example: 'drr') still lead to the same problem. This violate the design where parent's qlen should equal to the sum of its childrens'qlen.

Bug impact: This issue can be used for user->kernel privilege escalation when it is reachable.

AnalysisAI

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pfifo_tail_enqueue: Drop new packet when sch->limit == 0 Expected behaviour: In case we reach scheduler's limit,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).

Technical ContextAI

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pfifo_tail_enqueue: Drop new packet when sch->limit 0 Expected behaviour: In case we reach scheduler's limit, pfifo_tail_enqueue() will drop a packet in scheduler's queue and decrease scheduler's qlen by one. Then, pfifo_tail_enqueue() enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by one. Finally, pfifo_tail_enqueue() return NET_XMIT_CN status code. Weird behaviour: In case we set sch->limit 0 and trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue() on a scheduler that has no packet, the 'drop a packet' step will do nothing. This means the scheduler's qlen still has value equal 0. Then, we continue to enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by one. In summary, we can leverage pfifo_tail_enqueue() to increase qlen by one and return NET_XMIT_CN status code. The problem is: Let's say we have two qdiscs: Qdisc_A and Qdisc_B. - Qdisc_A's type must have '->graft()' function to create parent/child relationship. Let's say Qdisc_A's type is hfsc. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger hfsc_enqueue. - Qdisc_B's type is pfifo_head_drop. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue. - Qdisc_B is configured to have sch->limit 0. - Qdisc_A is configured to route the enqueued's packet to Qdisc_B. Enqueue packet through Qdisc_A will lead to: - hfsc_enqueue(Qdisc_A) -> pfifo_tail_enqueue(Qdisc_B) - Qdisc_B->q.qlen += 1 - pfifo_tail_enqueue() return NET_XMIT_CN - hfsc_enqueue() check for NET_XMIT_SUCCESS and see NET_XMIT_CN => hfsc_enqueue() don't increase qlen of Qdisc_A. The whole process lead to a situation where Qdisc_A->q.qlen 0 and Qdisc_B->q.qlen == 1. Replace 'hfsc' with other type (for example: 'drr') still lead to the same problem. This violate the design where parent's qlen should equal to the sum of its childrens'qlen. Bug impact: This issue can be used for user->kernel privilege escalation when it is reachable. Affected products include: Linux Linux Kernel.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Vendor StatusVendor

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CVE-2025-21702 vulnerability details – vuln.today

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