CVE-2025-68731 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
accel/amdxdna: Fix an integer overflow in aie2_query_ctx_status_array()
The unpublished smatch static checker reported a warning.
drivers/accel/amdxdna/aie2_pci.c:904 aie2_query_ctx_status_array() warn: potential user controlled sizeof overflow 'args->num_element * args->element_size' '1-u32max(user) * 1-u32max(user)'
Even this will not cause a real issue, it is better to put a reasonable limitation for element_size and num_element. Add condition to make sure the input element_size <= 4K and num_element <= 1K.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-68731 resides within the Linux kernel's AMD XDNA acceleration driver, specifically in the aie2_query_ctx_status_array() function located in drivers/accel/amdxdna/aie2_pci.c at line 904. This integer overflow vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the handling of user-supplied parameters that control the size calculation for memory allocation operations. The smatch static analysis tool identified this potential issue during code review, flagging a warning about user-controlled integer overflow in the expression 'args->num_element * args->element_size' where both values could theoretically reach maximum 32-bit unsigned integer values. While the vulnerability may not immediately result in exploitable conditions, the potential for memory corruption or resource exhaustion exists when malicious actors manipulate these parameters to trigger unexpected behavior in kernel memory management.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of bounds checking on user-provided input values that determine the size of memory allocations within the kernel space. When the kernel processes requests from user applications through the AMD XDNA acceleration interface, it calculates buffer sizes by multiplying num_element and element_size parameters without adequate validation of their individual values. This multiplication operation can result in integer overflow when both parameters approach their maximum 32-bit unsigned integer limits, potentially causing the kernel to allocate insufficient memory or trigger undefined behavior during memory operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the aie2_query_ctx_status_array() function which handles context status queries for AMD's AI Engine architecture, making it particularly relevant to systems utilizing advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence workloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, potentially compromising system stability and security posture. An attacker with access to the AMD XDNA acceleration interface could manipulate the num_element and element_size parameters to cause memory allocation failures, leading to denial of service conditions or system crashes. While the immediate exploitation risk appears limited, the vulnerability creates potential for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the resulting memory corruption for privilege escalation or information disclosure. Systems running kernel versions containing this flaw are particularly vulnerable when applications utilize the AMD XDNA acceleration framework, especially in environments where multiple users or untrusted applications have access to the acceleration hardware. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that could enable broader exploitation vectors.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2025-68731 involve implementing strict bounds checking on input parameters before any memory allocation operations occur. The fix implemented in the kernel source code establishes reasonable limitations by ensuring that element_size values do not exceed 4KB and num_element values remain below 1024 entries. These constraints prevent the multiplication operation from producing values that could cause integer overflow while maintaining sufficient functionality for legitimate use cases. Organizations should apply the patched kernel version immediately and monitor systems for any unusual behavior related to AMD XDNA acceleration. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious memory allocation patterns and ensure that only trusted applications have access to the acceleration hardware interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of static analysis tools in identifying potential security issues before they can be exploited in the wild, highlighting the need for comprehensive code review processes that include automated security scanning. This fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, by preventing potential exploitation pathways that could arise from improper integer handling in kernel code.