Linux Kernel up to 6.17.12/6.18.1 mt7996_conf_tx null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.12/6.18.1. The affected element is the function mt7996_conf_tx. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-68738. No exploit is available.
The affected component should be upgraded.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.12/6.18.1. Affected by this issue is the function mt7996_conf_tx. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mt76: mt7996: fix null pointer deref in mt7996_conf_tx() If a link does not have an assigned channel yet, mt7996_vif_link returns NULL. We still need to store the updated queue settings in that case, and apply them later. Move the location of the queue params to within struct mt7996_vif_link.
The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-68738 since 12/24/2025. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 279830 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68738), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 6.17.13, 6.18.2 or 6.19-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 96841352aaba7723c20afb3a5356746810ef8198/b8f34c1c5c4f5130c20e3253c95ba1d844d402b9/79277f8ad15ec5f255ed0e1427c7a8a3e94e7f52 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 (279830) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2929). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Affected
- 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: 5.7VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
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: 🔒
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Nessus ID: 279830
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68738
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.13/6.18.2/6.19-rc1
Patch: 96841352aaba7723c20afb3a5356746810ef8198/b8f34c1c5c4f5130c20e3253c95ba1d844d402b9/79277f8ad15ec5f255ed0e1427c7a8a3e94e7f52
Timeline
12/24/2025 Advisory disclosed12/24/2025 CVE reserved
12/24/2025 VulDB entry created
01/03/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2025-68738 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68738
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-337970
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2929 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Entry
Created: 12/24/2025 14:24Updated: 01/03/2026 09:46
Changes: 12/24/2025 14:24 (58), 12/28/2025 07:19 (2), 01/03/2026 09:46 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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