Linux Kernel up to 6.18.1 bpf excl_prog_hash memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.1. This affects the function excl_prog_hash of the component bpf. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory leak. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-68355. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.1. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function excl_prog_hash of the component bpf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix exclusive map memory leak When excl_prog_hash is 0 and excl_prog_hash_size is non-zero, the map also needs to be freed. Otherwise, the map memory will not be reclaimed, just like the memory leak problem reported by syzbot [1]. syzbot reported: BUG: memory leak backtrace (crc 7b9fb9b4): map_create+0x322/0x11e0 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:1512 __sys_bpf+0x3556/0x3610 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:6131

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-68355 since 12/16/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 280023 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68355), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.18.2 or 6.19-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f0022551745d72fc0e7bc8601234d690dee2178d/688b745401ab16e2e1a3b504863f0a45fd345638 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 (280023) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2920). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.6

VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / 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: 280023
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68355

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.2/6.19-rc1
Patch: f0022551745d72fc0e7bc8601234d690dee2178d/688b745401ab16e2e1a3b504863f0a45fd345638

Timelineinfo

12/16/2025 CVE reserved
12/24/2025 +8 days Advisory disclosed
12/24/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/27/2025 +3 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-68355 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68355
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338236
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2920 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/24/2025 15:34
Updated: 12/27/2025 14:29
Changes: 12/24/2025 15:34 (59), 12/25/2025 13:15 (7), 12/27/2025 14:29 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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