In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pfifo_tail_enqueue: Drop new...

Description

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

pfifo_tail_enqueue: Drop new packet when sch->limit == 0

Expected behaviour:
In case we reach scheduler's limit, pfifo_tail_enqueue() will drop a
packet in scheduler's queue and decrease scheduler's qlen by one.
Then, pfifo_tail_enqueue() enqueue new packet and increase
scheduler's qlen by one. Finally, pfifo_tail_enqueue() return
NET_XMIT_CN status code.

Weird behaviour:
In case we set sch->limit == 0 and trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue() on a
scheduler that has no packet, the 'drop a packet' step will do nothing.
This means the scheduler's qlen still has value equal 0.
Then, we continue to enqueue new packet and increase scheduler's qlen by
one. In summary, we can leverage pfifo_tail_enqueue() to increase qlen by
one and return NET_XMIT_CN status code.

The problem is:
Let's say we have two qdiscs: Qdisc_A and Qdisc_B.
- Qdisc_A's type must have '->graft()' function to create parent/child relationship.
Let's say Qdisc_A's type is hfsc. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger hfsc_enqueue.
- Qdisc_B's type is pfifo_head_drop. Enqueue packet to this qdisc will trigger pfifo_tail_enqueue.
- Qdisc_B is configured to have sch->limit == 0.
- Qdisc_A is configured to route the enqueued's packet to Qdisc_B.

Enqueue packet through Qdisc_A will lead to:
- hfsc_enqueue(Qdisc_A) -> pfifo_tail_enqueue(Qdisc_B)
- Qdisc_B->q.qlen += 1
- pfifo_tail_enqueue() return NET_XMIT_CN
- hfsc_enqueue() check for NET_XMIT_SUCCESS and see NET_XMIT_CN => hfsc_enqueue() don't increase qlen of Qdisc_A.

The whole process lead to a situation where Qdisc_A->q.qlen == 0 and Qdisc_B->q.qlen == 1.
Replace 'hfsc' with other type (for example: 'drr') still lead to the same problem.
This violate the design where parent's qlen should equal to the sum of its childrens'qlen.

Bug impact: This issue can be used for user->kernel privilege escalation when it is reachable.

Basic information

Type
unreviewed
Severity
high
Advisory on GitHub
Open advisory ↗
Repository advisory
Source code
Not specified
Published (advisory)
2025-02-18 15:31:08 UTC
Updated
2026-05-12 15:31:53 UTC
NVD published
2025-02-18

EPSS Score

Score Percentile
0.03% 9.37%

CVSS Scores

Base score Version Severity Vector
7.0 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:L)
They already need access on the box, or another person has to do something wrong; it’s not a remote drive-by.
Attack complexity (AC:H)
Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work.
Privileges required (PR:L)
A normal user session is enough; they don’t have to be admin.
User interaction (UI:N)
Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping.
Scope (S:U)
Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems.
Confidentiality (C:H)
Serious risk that confidential data gets exposed in a big way.
Integrity (I:H)
They could widely tamper with or forge data—trust in the data is badly hurt.
Availability (A:H)
Could take the service down hard or make it unusable for people who depend on it.

Identifiers

References

cvelogic Threat Intelligence