CVE-2025-22100 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/16/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/panthor: Fix race condition when gathering fdinfo group samples
Commit e16635d88fa0 ("drm/panthor: add DRM fdinfo support") failed to protect access to groups with an xarray lock, which could lead to use-after-free errors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-22100 resides within the Linux kernel's graphics subsystem, specifically in the panthor driver implementation that handles display rendering operations. This issue manifests as a race condition during the collection of file descriptor information group samples, representing a critical flaw in the kernel's memory management and synchronization mechanisms. The vulnerability emerged from a commit that introduced DRM fdinfo support but failed to implement proper locking mechanisms around shared data structures, creating a window where concurrent access could result in dangerous memory access patterns.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of appropriate xarray locking when accessing group data structures during fdinfo collection operations. In the panthor graphics driver implementation, the code attempts to gather and report file descriptor information without proper synchronization primitives, allowing multiple threads or processes to access the same memory regions simultaneously. This race condition creates a scenario where one thread may free memory while another thread attempts to access it, resulting in use-after-free errors that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within kernel space. The vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of memory safety and concurrent access control that are essential for kernel stability and security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates potential attack vectors that could allow privilege escalation from unprivileged users to kernel-level privileges. When exploited successfully, the use-after-free condition could enable attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels that include the panthor graphics driver, particularly those utilizing advanced graphics processing units that rely on this specific driver implementation for display operations. The race condition is particularly dangerous because it occurs during normal operation when file descriptor information is being gathered, making exploitation more likely during routine system activities rather than requiring specific malicious conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-22100 should prioritize immediate kernel updates from vendors that include the fix for the race condition in the drm/panthor driver. System administrators should monitor security advisories from their Linux distribution providers and apply patches as soon as they become available. The fix involves implementing proper locking mechanisms around the xarray access operations to prevent concurrent access to shared memory regions during fdinfo group sample collection. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file descriptor access patterns or memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes race conditions in concurrent programming, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to gain system access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in kernel-level code and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics drivers and subsystems that handle sensitive system resources.