Linux Kernel up to 6.12.17/6.13.5 NFSv4 close deadlock

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.17/6.13.5. Affected by this vulnerability is the function close of the component NFSv4. Executing a manipulation can lead to deadlock. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-21900. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.17/6.13.5. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function close of the component NFSv4. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a deadlock vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-833. The product contains multiple threads or executable segments that are waiting for each other to release a necessary lock, resulting in deadlock. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: NFSv4: Fix a deadlock when recovering state on a sillyrenamed file If the file is sillyrenamed, and slated for delete on close, it is possible for a server reboot to triggeer an open reclaim, with can again race with the application call to close(). When that happens, the call to put_nfs_open_context() can trigger a synchronous delegreturn call which deadlocks because it is not marked as privileged. Instead, ensure that the call to nfs4_inode_return_delegation_on_close() catches the delegreturn, and schedules it asynchronously.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-21900 since 12/29/2024. The exploitation appears to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 236983 (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 24.10 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-7521-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.12.18 or 6.13.6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 4fe4ae6c2e01d028856b73b6328b12b8945df871/f41a60bc43e7abbc636fee78bed0d74c31e738b0/8f8df955f078e1a023ee55161935000a67651f38 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 databases at Tenable (236983) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0683). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

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

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3
• 6.12.4
• 6.12.5
• 6.12.6
• 6.12.7
• 6.12.8
• 6.12.9
• 6.12.10
• 6.12.11
• 6.12.12
• 6.12.13
• 6.12.14
• 6.12.15
• 6.12.16
• 6.12.17
• 6.13.0
• 6.13.1
• 6.13.2
• 6.13.3
• 6.13.4
• 6.13.5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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