Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4/6.18-rc1 switch_mm_irqs_off privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4/6.18-rc1 and classified as critical. This affects the function switch_mm_irqs_off. The manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2025-40174. There is no available exploit. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.4/6.18-rc1. It has been rated as critical. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/mm: Fix SMP ordering in switch_mm_irqs_off() Stephen noted that it is possible to not have an smp_mb() between the loaded_mm store and the tlb_gen load in switch_mm(), meaning the ordering against flush_tlb_mm_range() goes out the window, and it becomes possible for switch_mm() to not observe a recent tlb_gen update and fail to flush the TLBs. [ dhansen: merge conflict fixed by Ingo ]

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-40174 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/08/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 275224 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40174), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.17.5 or 6.18-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 0fe5e3f5fb75c5d88dad24dece3ee75e9d87adeb/83b0177a6c4889b3a6e865da5e21b2c9d97d0551 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 (275224) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2579). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • RESF Rocky Linux

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 275224
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40174

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.5/6.18-rc2
Patch: 0fe5e3f5fb75c5d88dad24dece3ee75e9d87adeb/83b0177a6c4889b3a6e865da5e21b2c9d97d0551

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
11/12/2025 +210 days Advisory disclosed
11/12/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/08/2026 +88 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40174 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40174
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-332153
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2579 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 11/12/2025 13:33
Updated: 02/08/2026 13:47
Changes: 11/12/2025 13:33 (57), 11/13/2025 18:21 (2), 12/21/2025 04:02 (7), 12/30/2025 23:05 (1), 02/08/2026 13:47 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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