Memory leak in kernel
Priority LOW 25CWE-401Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 17 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-401.
Summary
A flaw memory leak in the Linux kernel performance monitoring subsystem was found in the way if using PERF_EVENT_IOC_SET_FILTER. A local user could use this flaw to starve the resources causing denial of service.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00353 29th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 6 advisoriesRed Hat: 17 fixed, 2 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | kernel | kernel 5.10-rc3 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- kernel Vendor— Affected kernel 5.10-rc3 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 8
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 5.9 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.10:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.10 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.10:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.10 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:command_center:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Starwindsoftware |
| cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_hyperconverged_appliance:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Starwindsoftware |
| cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_san_\&_nas:v8r12:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | v8r12 | Vulnerable | Starwindsoftware |
| cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_virtual_san:v8:build14398:*:*:*:*:*:* | v8 build14398 | Vulnerable | Starwindsoftware |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 5.9 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.10:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.10 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.10:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.10 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:command_center:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Starwindsoftware
- cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_hyperconverged_appliance:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Starwindsoftware
- cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_san_\&_nas:v8r12:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions v8r12 Vulnerable ·Starwindsoftware
- cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_virtual_san:v8:build14398:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions v8 build14398 Vulnerable ·Starwindsoftware
Remediation
Red Hat 6 advisories
- RHSA-2022:0063 Released 2022-01-11 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) kernel-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.el7
- RHSA-2022:0065 Released 2022-01-11 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7) kernel-rt-3.10.0-1160.53.1.rt56.1193.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-1160.53.1.rt56.1193.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.rt56.1193.el7 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV (v. 7) kernel-rt-3.10.0-1160.53.1.rt56.1193.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-1160.53.1.rt56.1193.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.53.1.rt56.1193.el7 +7
- RHSA-2021:2718 Released 2021-07-20 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security and bug fix update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 8.2) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-193.60.2.el8_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 8.2) bpftool-4.18.0-193.60.2.el8_2, kernel-4.18.0-193.60.2.el8_2, kernel-abi-whitelists-4.18.0-193.60.2.el8_2 +19
Show 3 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2021:2719 Released 2021-07-20 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 8.2) kernel-rt-4.18.0-193.60.2.rt13.112.el8_2, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-193.60.2.rt13.112.el8_2, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-193.60.2.rt13.112.el8_2 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 8.2) kernel-rt-4.18.0-193.60.2.rt13.112.el8_2, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-193.60.2.rt13.112.el8_2, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-193.60.2.rt13.112.el8_2 +9
- RHSA-2021:1739 Released 2021-05-18 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8 +9
- RHSA-2021:1578 Released 2021-05-18 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-305.el8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) bpftool-4.18.0-305.el8, kernel-4.18.0-305.el8, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-305.el8 +19
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1578 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 8.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:2718 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 8.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:2718 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1739 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 8.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:2719 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1739 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 8.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:2719 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0063 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0065 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:0065 |
Not affected: 5 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7)
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-25704
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-wpcp-36gf-6gxq
References
Advisory 4
Sources
- CVE-2020-25704 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-25704 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-wpcp-36gf-6gxq · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-25704 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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