CVE-2025-39859: linux kernel vulnerability

What is known

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ptp: ocp: fix use-after-free bugs causing by ptp_ocp_watchdog The ptp_ocp_detach() only shuts down the watchdog timer if it is pending. However, if the timer handler is already running, the timer_delete_sync() is not called. This leads to race conditions where the devlink that contains the ptp_ocp is deallocated while the timer handler is still accessing it, resulting in use-after-free bugs. The following details one of the race scenarios. (thread 1) | (thread 2) ptp_ocp_remove() | ptp_ocp_detach() | ptp_ocp_watchdog() if (timer_pending(&bp->watchdog))| bp = timer_container_of() timer_delete_sync() | | devlink_free(devlink) //free | | bp-> //use Resolve this by unconditionally calling timer_delete_sync() to ensure the timer is reliably deactivated, preventing any access after free.

Business impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-39859, a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) affecting linux kernel, may affect the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the vulnerable environment. The exact impact depends on the installed version, exposed interfaces and deployment configuration.

Recommended administrator action

Confirm whether linux kernel is present and compare installed versions with the vendor advisory and NVD record. Apply the vendor patch or documented mitigation; until remediation is complete, reduce exposure of affected interfaces, review relevant logs and monitor for indicators of exploitation. DataHouse can support version verification, managed patching, network exposure reduction, log review and backup validation for dedicated, cloud and colocated environments.

Sources

• NVD
• Reference
• Reference