CVE-2025-68202
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-12-16

Last updated on: 2025-12-18

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sched_ext: Fix unsafe locking in the scx_dump_state() For built with CONFIG_PREEMPT_RT=y kernels, the dump_lock will be converted sleepable spinlock and not disable-irq, so the following scenarios occur: inconsistent {IN-HARDIRQ-W} -> {HARDIRQ-ON-W} usage. irq_work/0/27 [HC0[0]:SC0[0]:HE1:SE1] takes: (&rq->__lock){?...}-{2:2}, at: raw_spin_rq_lock_nested+0x2b/0x40 {IN-HARDIRQ-W} state was registered at: lock_acquire+0x1e1/0x510 _raw_spin_lock_nested+0x42/0x80 raw_spin_rq_lock_nested+0x2b/0x40 sched_tick+0xae/0x7b0 update_process_times+0x14c/0x1b0 tick_periodic+0x62/0x1f0 tick_handle_periodic+0x48/0xf0 timer_interrupt+0x55/0x80 __handle_irq_event_percpu+0x20a/0x5c0 handle_irq_event_percpu+0x18/0xc0 handle_irq_event+0xb5/0x150 handle_level_irq+0x220/0x460 __common_interrupt+0xa2/0x1e0 common_interrupt+0xb0/0xd0 asm_common_interrupt+0x2b/0x40 _raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore+0x45/0x80 __setup_irq+0xc34/0x1a30 request_threaded_irq+0x214/0x2f0 hpet_time_init+0x3e/0x60 x86_late_time_init+0x5b/0xb0 start_kernel+0x308/0x410 x86_64_start_reservations+0x1c/0x30 x86_64_start_kernel+0x96/0xa0 common_startup_64+0x13e/0x148 other info that might help us debug this: Possible unsafe locking scenario: CPU0 ---- lock(&rq->__lock); <Interrupt> lock(&rq->__lock); *** DEADLOCK *** stack backtrace: CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 27 Comm: irq_work/0 Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x8c/0xd0 dump_stack+0x14/0x20 print_usage_bug+0x42e/0x690 mark_lock.part.44+0x867/0xa70 ? __pfx_mark_lock.part.44+0x10/0x10 ? string_nocheck+0x19c/0x310 ? number+0x739/0x9f0 ? __pfx_string_nocheck+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx_check_pointer+0x10/0x10 ? kvm_sched_clock_read+0x15/0x30 ? sched_clock_noinstr+0xd/0x20 ? local_clock_noinstr+0x1c/0xe0 __lock_acquire+0xc4b/0x62b0 ? __pfx_format_decode+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx_string+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx___lock_acquire+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx_vsnprintf+0x10/0x10 lock_acquire+0x1e1/0x510 ? raw_spin_rq_lock_nested+0x2b/0x40 ? __pfx_lock_acquire+0x10/0x10 ? dump_line+0x12e/0x270 ? raw_spin_rq_lock_nested+0x20/0x40 _raw_spin_lock_nested+0x42/0x80 ? raw_spin_rq_lock_nested+0x2b/0x40 raw_spin_rq_lock_nested+0x2b/0x40 scx_dump_state+0x3b3/0x1270 ? finish_task_switch+0x27e/0x840 scx_ops_error_irq_workfn+0x67/0x80 irq_work_single+0x113/0x260 irq_work_run_list.part.3+0x44/0x70 run_irq_workd+0x6b/0x90 ? __pfx_run_irq_workd+0x10/0x10 smpboot_thread_fn+0x529/0x870 ? __pfx_smpboot_thread_fn+0x10/0x10 kthread+0x305/0x3f0 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x40/0x70 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 </TASK> This commit therefore use rq_lock_irqsave/irqrestore() to replace rq_lock/unlock() in the scx_dump_state().
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Meta Information
Published
2025-12-16
Last Modified
2025-12-18
Generated
2026-05-07
AI Q&A
2025-12-16
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-05
NVD
CVE-2025-68202
EUVD
EUVD-2025-203694
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability is an unsafe locking issue in the Linux kernel's sched_ext component, specifically in the scx_dump_state() function. When the kernel is built with CONFIG_PREEMPT_RT=y, the dump_lock is converted to a sleepable spinlock that does not disable interrupts, leading to inconsistent locking states and a potential deadlock scenario. This occurs because the same lock (&rq->__lock) can be acquired twice in an interrupt context, causing a deadlock. The fix replaces the locking mechanism with irqsave/irqrestore variants to prevent this unsafe locking.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

This vulnerability can cause a deadlock in the Linux kernel when running with real-time preemption (CONFIG_PREEMPT_RT=y). A deadlock can halt or severely disrupt system operations, potentially causing system freezes or crashes, which impacts system reliability and availability.


What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?

The vulnerability is fixed by replacing rq_lock/unlock() with rq_lock_irqsave/irqrestore() in the scx_dump_state() function. To mitigate this vulnerability, you should update your Linux kernel to a version that includes this fix, ensuring that the unsafe locking scenario is resolved.


How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?

This vulnerability relates to unsafe locking in the Linux kernel's sched_ext component, specifically in scx_dump_state() when CONFIG_PREEMPT_RT=y is enabled. Detection would involve monitoring for kernel deadlocks or lock inconsistencies related to raw_spinlocks and irq_work threads. You can check kernel logs (e.g., using 'dmesg' or 'journalctl -k') for stack traces or deadlock messages similar to those described in the vulnerability. Commands to help detect issues include: 'dmesg | grep -i deadlock', 'journalctl -k | grep -i irq_work', and monitoring for kernel warnings or errors related to spinlocks or irq_work threads. Additionally, tools like 'perf' or kernel debugging tools may help trace locking issues, but no specific commands are provided in the context.


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