Linux Kernel up to 6.12.15/6.13.3/6.14-rc1 amd_pstate_update_limits reference count

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.15/6.13.3/6.14-rc1. Affected is the function amd_pstate_update_limits. Executing a manipulation can lead to reference count. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-21841. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.15/6.13.3/6.14-rc1. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function amd_pstate_update_limits. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cpufreq/amd-pstate: Fix cpufreq_policy ref counting amd_pstate_update_limits() takes a cpufreq_policy reference but doesn't decrement the refcount in one of the exit paths, fix that.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-21841 since 12/29/2024. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.12.16, 6.13.4 or 6.14-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 56e6976793c0fcf1638aa534242408ab4e4ca705/28e4c515cf644c621800bd97841757fd49891ba4/3ace20038e19f23fe73259513f1f08d4bf1a3c83 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0499). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • SolarWinds Security Event Manager
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.16/6.13.4/6.14-rc2
Patch: 56e6976793c0fcf1638aa534242408ab4e4ca705/28e4c515cf644c621800bd97841757fd49891ba4/3ace20038e19f23fe73259513f1f08d4bf1a3c83

Timelineinfo

12/29/2024 🔍
03/07/2025 +68 days 🔍
03/07/2025 +0 days 🔍
02/16/2026 +346 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-21841 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-21841
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-298924
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-0499 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 03/07/2025 10:35
Updated: 02/16/2026 22:47
Changes: 03/07/2025 10:35 (58), 10/29/2025 22:50 (11), 02/16/2026 22:47 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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