iommufd: Fix race during abort for file descriptors
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 20 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iommufd: Fix race during abort for file descriptors fput() doesn't actually call file_operations release() synchronously, it puts the file on a work queue and it will be released eventually. This is normally fine, except for iommufd the file and the iommufd_object are tied to gether. The file has the object as it's private_data and holds a users refcount, while the object is expected to remain alive as long as the file is. When the allocation of a new object aborts before installing the file it will fput() the file and then go on to immediately kfree() the obj. This causes a UAF once the workqueue completes the fput() and tries to decrement the users refcount. Fix this by putting the core code in charge of the file lifetime, and call __fput_sync() during abort to ensure that release() is called before kfree. __fput_sync() is a bit too tricky to open code in all the object implementations. Instead the objects tell the core code where the file pointer is and the core will take care of the life cycle. If the object is successfully allocated then the file will hold a users refcount and the iommufd_object cannot be destroyed. It is worth noting that close(); ioctl(IOMMU_DESTROY); doesn't have an issue because close() is already using a synchronous version of fput(). The UAF looks like this: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in iommufd_eventq_fops_release+0x45/0xc0 drivers/iommu/iommufd/eventq.c:376 Write of size 4 at addr ffff888059c97804 by task syz.0.46/6164 CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 6164 Comm: syz.0.46 Not tainted syzkaller #0 PREEMPT(full) Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 08/18/2025 Call Trace: <TASK> __dump_stack lib/dump_stack.c:94 [inline] dump_stack_lvl+0x116/0x1f0 lib/dump_stack.c:120 print_address_description mm/kasan/report.c:378 [inline] print_report+0xcd/0x630 mm/kasan/report.c:482 kasan_report+0xe0/0x110 mm/kasan/report.c:595 check_region_inline mm/kasan/generic.c:183 [inline] kasan_check_range+0x100/0x1b0 mm/kasan/generic.c:189 instrument_atomic_read_write include/linux/instrumented.h:96 [inline] atomic_fetch_sub_release include/linux/atomic/atomic-instrumented.h:400 [inline] __refcount_dec include/linux/refcount.h:455 [inline] refcount_dec include/linux/refcount.h:476 [inline] iommufd_eventq_fops_release+0x45/0xc0 drivers/iommu/iommufd/eventq.c:376 __fput+0x402/0xb70 fs/file_table.c:468 task_work_run+0x14d/0x240 kernel/task_work.c:227 resume_user_mode_work include/linux/resume_user_mode.h:50 [inline] exit_to_user_mode_loop+0xeb/0x110 kernel/entry/common.c:43 exit_to_user_mode_prepare include/linux/irq-entry-common.h:225 [inline] syscall_exit_to_user_mode_work include/linux/entry-common.h:175 [inline] syscall_exit_to_user_mode include/linux/entry-common.h:210 [inline] do_syscall_64+0x41c/0x4c0 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:100 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f
Why it matters now
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 6.11 and later | 6.12.50, 6.16.10, 6.17 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 6.11 and later Fixed in 6.12.50, 6.16.10, 6.17 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 8
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.11 to before 6.12.50; 6.13 to before 6.16.10 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc5 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc6 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.17 rc7 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.11 to before 6.12.50; 6.13 to before 6.16.10 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc5 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc6 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.17:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.17 rc7 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.12.50, 6.16.10, 6.17
Red Hat 4 advisories
- RHSA-2026:0453 Released 2026-01-12 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kernel-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, libperf-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-124.27.1.el10_1 +9
- RHSA-2025:23241 Released 2025-12-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) kernel-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, libperf-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-611.16.1.el9_7 +9
- RHSA-2025:23250 Released 2025-12-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, libperf-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-55.50.1.el10_0 +11
Show 1 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2025:22802 Released 2025-12-09 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.72.1.el9_6 +11
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:22802 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0453 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23241 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23250 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:22802 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0453 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23241 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23250 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:22802 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0453 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23241 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23250 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0453 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23241 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23250 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:22802 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:0453 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23241 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23250 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:22802 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-39966
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jrgc-8xmv-4r2m
References
More Linux Kernel vulnerabilities
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Sources
- CVE-2025-39966 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-39966 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jrgc-8xmv-4r2m · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2025-39966 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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