Linux Kernel up to 6.17.8 binfmt_misc open_exec permission

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.8. This impacts the function open_exec of the component binfmt_misc. Performing a manipulation results in permission. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-68239. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.8. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function open_exec of the component binfmt_misc. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a permission vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-275. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: binfmt_misc: restore write access before closing files opened by open_exec() bm_register_write() opens an executable file using open_exec(), which internally calls do_open_execat() and denies write access on the file to avoid modification while it is being executed. However, when an error occurs, bm_register_write() closes the file using filp_close() directly. This does not restore the write permission, which may cause subsequent write operations on the same file to fail. Fix this by calling exe_file_allow_write_access() before filp_close() to restore the write permission properly.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-68239 since 12/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/21/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1222 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 296481 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2026:0278-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.17.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e785f552ab04dbca01d31f0334f4561240b04459/90f601b497d76f40fa66795c3ecf625b6aced9fd 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 (296481) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2868). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.17.0
• 6.17.1
• 6.17.2
• 6.17.3
• 6.17.4
• 6.17.5
• 6.17.6
• 6.17.7
• 6.17.8

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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Entryinfo

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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