CVE-2025-40211

  • Published: 2025-11-21T11:15:49.513

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ACPI: video: Fix use-after-free in acpi_video_switch_brightness()

The switch_brightness_work delayed work accesses device->brightness
and device->backlight, freed by acpi_video_dev_unregister_backlight()
during device removal.

If the work executes after acpi_video_bus_unregister_backlight()
frees these resources, it causes a use-after-free when
acpi_video_switch_brightness() dereferences device->brightness or
device->backlight.

Fix this by calling cancel_delayed_work_sync() for each device’s
switch_brightness_work in acpi_video_bus_remove_notify_handler()
after removing the notify handler that queues the work. This ensures
the work completes before the memory is freed.

[ rjw: Changelog edit ]

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How to fix CVE-2025-40211

CVE-2025-40211 is a unknown severity vulnerability affecting the affected product.

Description: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ACPI: video: Fix use-after-free in acpi_video_switch_brightness() The switch_brightness_work delayed work accesses device->brightness and device->backlight, freed by acpi_video_dev_unregister_backlight() during device removal. If the work executes after acpi_video_bus_unregister_backlight() frees these resources, it causes a use-after-free when acpi_video_switch_brightness() dereferences device->brightness or device->backlight. Fix this by calling cancel_delayed_work_sync() for […]

Exploit Difficulty: HARD
⏱️ Time to exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Required skills: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public exploits: Rare or not public

How to Fix:

1 Identify affected systems

- Check if you're running the affected product

2 Immediate actions

- Update to the latest patched version
- If patching is not immediately possible: restrict network exposure, apply least-privilege access

3 Verification

- Test the fix in a staging environment first
- Review logs for signs of exploitation
- Monitor for IOCs (Indicators of Compromise)

4 Long-term prevention

- Enable automatic security updates
- Set up vulnerability monitoring
- Review and harden security configurations

Exploit Difficulty Assessment

HARD
⏱️ Time to Exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Skills Required: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public Exploits: Rare or not public

Vulnerability Timeline

Nov 21, 2025
Vulnerability Published

CVE details first published to NVD database

Nov 21, 2025
Imported to Database

Added to this CVE tracking system

Detection Rules & IOCs

No specific detection rules generated for this vulnerability type.

No vendor/product data available.