CVE-2025-40194
- Published: 2025-11-12T22:15:46.427
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
cpufreq: intel_pstate: Fix object lifecycle issue in update_qos_request()
The cpufreq_cpu_put() call in update_qos_request() takes place too early
because the latter subsequently calls freq_qos_update_request() that
indirectly accesses the policy object in question through the QoS request
object passed to it.
Fortunately, update_qos_request() is called under intel_pstate_driver_lock,
so this issue does not matter for changing the intel_pstate operation
mode, but it theoretically can cause a crash to occur on CPU device hot
removal (which currently can only happen in virt, but it is formally
supported nevertheless).
Address this issue by modifying update_qos_request() to drop the
reference to the policy later.
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How to fix CVE-2025-40194
Description: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cpufreq: intel_pstate: Fix object lifecycle issue in update_qos_request() The cpufreq_cpu_put() call in update_qos_request() takes place too early because the latter subsequently calls freq_qos_update_request() that indirectly accesses the policy object in question through the QoS request object passed to it. Fortunately, update_qos_request() is called under intel_pstate_driver_lock, […]
Exploit Difficulty: HARD
⏱️ Time to exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Required skills: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public exploits: Rare or not public
How to Fix:
- Check if you're running the affected product
- Update to the latest patched version
- If patching is not immediately possible: restrict network exposure, apply least-privilege access
- Test the fix in a staging environment first
- Review logs for signs of exploitation
- Monitor for IOCs (Indicators of Compromise)
- Enable automatic security updates
- Set up vulnerability monitoring
- Review and harden security configurations
Exploit Difficulty Assessment
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