CVE-2025-68780
sched/deadline: only set free_cpus for online runqueues
Description
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.
INFO
Published Date :
Jan. 13, 2026, 4:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Jan. 13, 2026, 4:15 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Apply the patch to the Linux kernel.
- Update the Linux kernel to the fixed version.
- Compile and install the updated kernel.
- Reboot the system to apply changes.
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-2025-68780.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-68780 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-2025-68780
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-2025-68780 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2025-68780 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.
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New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Jan. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description 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. Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/382748c05e58a9f1935f5a653c352422375566ea Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ed049fbfb4d75b4e0b8ab54c934f485129d5dc8 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/91e448e69aca4bb0ba2e998eb3e555644db7322b Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dbc61834b0412435df21c71410562d933e4eba49 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb36846cbcc936954f2ad2bffdff13d16c0be08a