Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 bnxt_en bnxt_bs_trace_check_wrap null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.6 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function bnxt_bs_trace_check_wrap of the component bnxt_en. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2025-68197. No exploit is available.
Upgrading the affected component is recommended.
Details
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.7 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function bnxt_bs_trace_check_wrap of the component bnxt_en. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bnxt_en: Fix null pointer dereference in bnxt_bs_trace_check_wrap() With older FW, we may get the ASYNC_EVENT_CMPL_EVENT_ID_DBG_BUF_PRODUCER for FW trace data type that has not been initialized. This will result in a crash in bnxt_bs_trace_type_wrap(). Add a guard to check for a valid magic_byte pointer before proceeding.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-68197 since 12/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 278928 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68197), 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 689ae5ba31293eebb7f21c0ef8939468ac72b5ce/ff02be05f78399c766be68ab0b2285ff90b2aaa8 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 (278928) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2868). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source 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: 4.8VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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: 278928
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68197
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.8
Patch: 689ae5ba31293eebb7f21c0ef8939468ac72b5ce/ff02be05f78399c766be68ab0b2285ff90b2aaa8
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-2025-68197 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68197
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-336775
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2868 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Entry
Created: 12/16/2025 16:03Updated: 02/21/2026 07:33
Changes: 12/16/2025 16:03 (59), 12/17/2025 17:01 (2), 01/19/2026 22:57 (7), 02/03/2026 04:50 (1), 02/21/2026 07:33 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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