CVE-2025-21702

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

State
Published
Severity
7.8 High
Published
Feb 18, 2025
Updated
Oct 15, 2026
Reserved
Dec 29, 2024

Read the record on cve.org

Description

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.

Scores

CVSSScoreVectorSource
3.17.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HLinux

Weaknesses

The record names no weakness.

Affected Products

ProductVersions
LinuxLinux
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before 78285b53266d6d51fa4ff504a23df03852eba84eAffected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before 7a9723ec27aff5674f1fd4934608937f1d650980Affected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before a56a6e8589a9b98d8171611fbcc1e45a15fd2455Affected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before 020ecb76812a0526f4130ab5aeb6dc7c773e7ab9Affected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before 79a955ea4a2e5ddf4a36328959de0de496419888Affected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before e40cb34b7f247fe2e366fd192700d1b4f38196caAffected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before b6a079c3b6f95378f26e2aeda520cb3176f7067bAffected
  • 57dbb2d83d100ea601c54fe129bfde0678db5dee to before 647cef20e649c576dff271e018d5d15d998b629dAffected
LinuxLinux
  • 2.6.34Affected
  • before 2.6.34Not affected
  • 5.4.291 through 5.4.*Not affected
  • 5.10.235 through 5.10.*Not affected
  • 5.15.179 through 5.15.*Not affected
  • 6.1.130 through 6.1.*Not affected
  • 6.6.83 through 6.6.*Not affected
  • 6.12.14 through 6.12.*Not affected
  • 6.13.3 through 6.13.*Not affected
  • 6.14 and laterNot affected

References

Every record here comes from the CVE Program’s CVE List. © 1999–2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. The records are reproduced under the CVE Program terms of use.