Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.2 cpudl_find state issue

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.2. The affected element is the function cpudl_find. The manipulation results in state issue. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-68780. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.2. Affected is the function cpudl_find. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a state issue vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-371. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched/deadline: only set free_cpus for online runqueues Commit 16b269436b72 ("sched/deadline: Modify cpudl::free_cpus to reflect rd->online") introduced the cpudl_set/clear_freecpu functions to allow the cpu_dl::free_cpus mask to be manipulated by the deadline scheduler class rq_on/offline callbacks so the mask would also reflect this state. Commit 9659e1eeee28 ("sched/deadline: Remove cpu_active_mask from cpudl_find()") removed the check of the cpu_active_mask to save some processing on the premise that the cpudl::free_cpus mask already reflected the runqueue online state. Unfortunately, there are cases where it is possible for the cpudl_clear function to set the free_cpus bit for a CPU when the deadline runqueue is offline. When this occurs while a CPU is connected to the default root domain the flag may retain the bad state after the CPU has been unplugged. Later, a different CPU that is transitioning through the default root domain may push a deadline task to the powered down CPU when cpudl_find sees its free_cpus bit is set. If this happens the task will not have the opportunity to run. One example is outlined here: https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/[email protected] Another occurs when the last deadline task is migrated from a CPU that has an offlined runqueue. The dequeue_task member of the deadline scheduler class will eventually call cpudl_clear and set the free_cpus bit for the CPU. This commit modifies the cpudl_clear function to be aware of the online state of the deadline runqueue so that the free_cpus mask can be updated appropriately. It is no longer necessary to manage the mask outside of the cpudl_set/clear functions so the cpudl_set/clear_freecpu functions are removed. In addition, since the free_cpus mask is now only updated under the cpudl lock the code was changed to use the non-atomic __cpumask functions.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-68780 since 12/24/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 03/27/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298404 (Debian dsa-6127 : affs-modules-6.1.0-37-4kc-malta-di - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.64, 6.18.3 or 6.19-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch fb36846cbcc936954f2ad2bffdff13d16c0be08a/91e448e69aca4bb0ba2e998eb3e555644db7322b/dbc61834b0412435df21c71410562d933e4eba49/3ed049fbfb4d75b4e0b8ab54c934f485129d5dc8/382748c05e58a9f1935f5a653c352422375566ea 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 (298404) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0086). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: State issue
CWE: CWE-371
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: 298404
Nessus Name: Debian dsa-6127 : affs-modules-6.1.0-37-4kc-malta-di - security update

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.64/6.18.3/6.19-rc1
Patch: fb36846cbcc936954f2ad2bffdff13d16c0be08a/91e448e69aca4bb0ba2e998eb3e555644db7322b/dbc61834b0412435df21c71410562d933e4eba49/3ed049fbfb4d75b4e0b8ab54c934f485129d5dc8/382748c05e58a9f1935f5a653c352422375566ea

Timelineinfo

12/24/2025 CVE reserved
01/13/2026 +20 days Advisory disclosed
01/13/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/27/2026 +73 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-68780 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68780
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-340632
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0086 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 01/13/2026 17:31
Updated: 03/27/2026 02:30
Changes: 01/13/2026 17:31 (58), 02/10/2026 18:20 (2), 03/27/2026 02:30 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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