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CVE-2025-40201
kernel/sys.c: fix the racy usage of task_lock(tsk->group_leader) in sys_prlimit64() paths
Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: kernel/sys.c: fix the racy usage of task_lock(tsk->group_leader) in sys_prlimit64() paths The usage of task_lock(tsk->group_leader) in sys_prlimit64()->do_prlimit() path is very broken. sys_prlimit64() does get_task_struct(tsk) but this only protects task_struct itself. If tsk != current and tsk is not a leader, this process can exit/exec and task_lock(tsk->group_leader) may use the already freed task_struct. Another problem is that sys_prlimit64() can race with mt-exec which changes ->group_leader. In this case do_prlimit() may take the wrong lock, or (worse) ->group_leader may change between task_lock() and task_unlock(). Change sys_prlimit64() to take tasklist_lock when necessary. This is not nice, but I don't see a better fix for -stable.

INFO

Published Date :

Nov. 12, 2025, 10:15 p.m.

Last Modified :

Nov. 12, 2025, 10:15 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No

Source :

416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2025-40201 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

No affected product recoded yet

: Total Affected Vendor : 0 | Products : 0
Solution
The Linux kernel's sys_prlimit64 function has a race condition vulnerability that needs to be addressed.
  • Apply the kernel patch for sys_prlimit64.
  • Ensure tasklist_lock is used correctly.
  • Avoid racy usage of task_lock(tsk->group_leader).
  • Update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2025-40201.

URL Resource
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/132f827e7bac7373e1522e89709d70b43cae5342
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/19b45c84bd9fd42fa97ff80c6350d604cb871c75
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1bc0d9315ef5296abb2c9fd840336255850ded18
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6796412decd2d8de8ec708213bbc958fab72f143
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a15f37a40145c986cdf289a4b88390f35efdecc4
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-40201 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2025-40201 weaknesses.

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2025-40201 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

Results are limited to the first 20 news articles due to potential performance issues.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2025-40201 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

    Nov. 12, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: kernel/sys.c: fix the racy usage of task_lock(tsk->group_leader) in sys_prlimit64() paths The usage of task_lock(tsk->group_leader) in sys_prlimit64()->do_prlimit() path is very broken. sys_prlimit64() does get_task_struct(tsk) but this only protects task_struct itself. If tsk != current and tsk is not a leader, this process can exit/exec and task_lock(tsk->group_leader) may use the already freed task_struct. Another problem is that sys_prlimit64() can race with mt-exec which changes ->group_leader. In this case do_prlimit() may take the wrong lock, or (worse) ->group_leader may change between task_lock() and task_unlock(). Change sys_prlimit64() to take tasklist_lock when necessary. This is not nice, but I don't see a better fix for -stable.
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/132f827e7bac7373e1522e89709d70b43cae5342
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/19b45c84bd9fd42fa97ff80c6350d604cb871c75
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1bc0d9315ef5296abb2c9fd840336255850ded18
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6796412decd2d8de8ec708213bbc958fab72f143
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a15f37a40145c986cdf289a4b88390f35efdecc4
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
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