Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 jfs txInit initialization

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7. This affects the function txInit of the component jfs. Executing a manipulation can lead to initialization. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-68168. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function txInit of the component jfs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-665. The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource, which might leave the resource in an unexpected state when it is accessed or used. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: jfs: fix uninitialized waitqueue in transaction manager The transaction manager initialization in txInit() was not properly initializing TxBlock[0].waitor waitqueue, causing a crash when txEnd(0) is called on read-only filesystems. When a filesystem is mounted read-only, txBegin() returns tid=0 to indicate no transaction. However, txEnd(0) still gets called and tries to access TxBlock[0].waitor via tid_to_tblock(0), but this waitqueue was never initialized because the initialization loop started at index 1 instead of 0. This causes a 'non-static key' lockdep warning and system crash: INFO: trying to register non-static key in txEnd Fix by ensuring all transaction blocks including TxBlock[0] have their waitqueues properly initialized during txInit().

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-68168 since 12/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 02/21/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298897 (Ubuntu 25.10 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-8029-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.302, 5.10.247, 5.15.197, 6.1.159, 6.6.117, 6.12.58 or 6.17.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d6af7fce2e162ac68e85d3a11eb6ac8c35b24b64/8cae9cf23e0bd424ac904e753639a587543ce03a/a2aa97cde9857f881920635a2e3d3b11769619c5/d2dd7ca05a11685c314e62802a55e8d67a90e974/2a9575a372182ca075070b3cd77490dcf0c951e7/cbf2f527ae4ca7c7dabce42e85e8deb58588a37e/038861414ab383b41dd35abbf9ff0ef715592d53/300b072df72694ea330c4c673c035253e07827b8 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (298897) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2868). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Initialization
CWE: CWE-665
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 298897
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 25.10 : Linux kernel vulnerabilities (USN-8029-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.302/5.10.247/5.15.197/6.1.159/6.6.117/6.12.58/6.17.8
Patch: d6af7fce2e162ac68e85d3a11eb6ac8c35b24b64/8cae9cf23e0bd424ac904e753639a587543ce03a/a2aa97cde9857f881920635a2e3d3b11769619c5/d2dd7ca05a11685c314e62802a55e8d67a90e974/2a9575a372182ca075070b3cd77490dcf0c951e7/cbf2f527ae4ca7c7dabce42e85e8deb58588a37e/038861414ab383b41dd35abbf9ff0ef715592d53/300b072df72694ea330c4c673c035253e07827b8

Timelineinfo

12/16/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/16/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/16/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/21/2026 +67 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-68168 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68168
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-336712
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2868 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/16/2025 15:04
Updated: 02/21/2026 04:30
Changes: 12/16/2025 15:04 (59), 01/14/2026 03:09 (7), 01/19/2026 16:50 (1), 02/02/2026 13:18 (1), 02/15/2026 18:04 (2), 02/21/2026 04:30 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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