Linux Kernel up to 6.17.8 HDMI Codec Driver build_controls initialization

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.8 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function build_controls of the component HDMI Codec Driver. Such manipulation leads to initialization. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2025-68205. There is no available exploit. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.8. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function build_controls of the component HDMI Codec Driver. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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: ALSA: hda/hdmi: Fix breakage at probing nvhdmi-mcp driver After restructuring and splitting the HDMI codec driver code, each HDMI codec driver contains the own build_controls and build_pcms ops. A copy-n-paste error put the wrong entries for nvhdmi-mcp driver; both build_controls and build_pcms are swapped. Unfortunately both callbacks have the very same form, and the compiler didn't complain it, either. This resulted in a NULL dereference because the PCM instance hasn't been initialized at calling the build_controls callback. Fix it by passing the proper entries.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-68205 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 279018 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68205), 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 d2aed6fac1148528181affb781aa683d6569042b/82420bd4e17bdaba8453fbf9e10c58c9ed0c9727 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 (279018) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2868). Once again VulDB remains the best 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

Productinfo

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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: 279018
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68205

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.9
Patch: d2aed6fac1148528181affb781aa683d6569042b/82420bd4e17bdaba8453fbf9e10c58c9ed0c9727

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-2025-68205 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68205
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-336788
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2868 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/16/2025 16:05
Updated: 02/21/2026 13:28
Changes: 12/16/2025 16:05 (59), 12/18/2025 19:52 (2), 01/20/2026 00:31 (7), 02/03/2026 07:03 (1), 02/21/2026 13:28 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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