CVE-2025-21929 HID: intel-ish-hid: Fix use-after-free issue in hid_ishtp_cl_remove()
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Intel ISHTP HID driver allows local attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges during module removal.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-21929?
CVE-2025-21929 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 1 Apr 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
HID: intel-ish-hid: Fix use-after-free issue in hid_ishtp_cl_remove()
During the `rmmod` operation for the `intel_ishtp_hid` driver, a use-after-free issue can occur in the hid_ishtp_cl_remove() function. The function hid_ishtp_cl_deinit() is called before ishtp_hid_remove(), which can lead to accessing freed memory or resources during the removal process.
Call Trace: ? ishtp_cl_send+0x168/0x220 [intel_ishtp] ? hid_output_report+0xe3/0x150 [hid] hid_ishtp_set_feature+0xb5/0x120 [intel_ishtp_hid] ishtp_hid_request+0x7b/0xb0 [intel_ishtp_hid] hid_hw_request+0x1f/0x40 [hid] sensor_hub_set_feature+0x11f/0x190 [hid_sensor_hub] _hid_sensor_power_state+0x147/0x1e0 [hid_sensor_trigger] hid_sensor_runtime_resume+0x22/0x30 [hid_sensor_trigger] sensor_hub_remove+0xa8/0xe0 [hid_sensor_hub] hid_device_remove+0x49/0xb0 [hid] hid_destroy_device+0x6f/0x90 [hid] ishtp_hid_remove+0x42/0x70 [intel_ishtp_hid] hid_ishtp_cl_remove+0x6b/0xb0 [intel_ishtp_hid] ishtp_cl_device_remove+0x4a/0x60 [intel_ishtp] ...
Additionally, ishtp_hid_remove() is a HID level power off, which should occur before the ISHTP level disconnect.
This patch resolves the issue by reordering the calls in hid_ishtp_cl_remove(). The function ishtp_hid_remove() is now called before hid_ishtp_cl_deinit().
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-21929?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2025-21929?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2025-21929 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-21929 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-21929, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-21929, GHSA-r89f-5fp9-fmg7, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2025-21929, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-21929.