Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 iwlwifi iwl_mld_remove_link use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.6 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7. It has been rated as critical. This impacts the function iwl_mld_remove_link of the component iwlwifi. This manipulation causes use after free.
This vulnerability appears as CVE-2025-68182. There is no available exploit.
Upgrading the affected component is advised.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7. Affected by this vulnerability is the function iwl_mld_remove_link of the component iwlwifi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: iwlwifi: fix potential use after free in iwl_mld_remove_link() This code frees "link" by calling kfree_rcu(link, rcu_head) and then it dereferences "link" to get the "link->fw_id". Save the "link->fw_id" first to avoid a potential use after free.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-68182 since 12/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/21/2026).
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 278930 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68182), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 6.17.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5b4a239c9f94e1606435f1842fc6fd426d607dbb/77e67d5daaf155f7d0f99f4e797c4842169ec19e 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 (278930) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2868). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Nessus ID: 278930
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68182
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.8
Patch: 5b4a239c9f94e1606435f1842fc6fd426d607dbb/77e67d5daaf155f7d0f99f4e797c4842169ec19e
Timeline
12/16/2025 Advisory disclosed12/16/2025 CVE reserved
12/16/2025 VulDB entry created
02/21/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-68182 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68182
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-336763
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2868 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Entry
Created: 12/16/2025 16:00Updated: 02/21/2026 07:23
Changes: 12/16/2025 16:00 (59), 12/17/2025 16:22 (2), 01/19/2026 22:37 (7), 02/03/2026 02:22 (1), 02/21/2026 07:23 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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