Linux Kernel up to 6.17.12/6.18.1 rtc devm_clk_get_enabled double free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.12/6.18.1. This impacts the function devm_clk_get_enabled of the component rtc. Such manipulation leads to double free. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-68754. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.12/6.18.1. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function devm_clk_get_enabled of the component rtc. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a double free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-415. The product calls free() twice on the same memory address, potentially leading to modification of unexpected memory locations. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rtc: amlogic-a4: fix double free caused by devm The clock obtained via devm_clk_get_enabled() is automatically managed by devres and will be disabled and freed on driver detach. Manually calling clk_disable_unprepare() in error path and remove function causes double free. Remove the redundant clk_disable_unprepare() calls from the probe error path and aml_rtc_remove(), allowing the devm framework to automatically manage the clock lifecycle.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-68754 since 12/24/2025. 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 02/13/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 281905 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-68754), 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 9fed02c16488050cd4e33e045506336b216d7301/2e1c79299036614ac32b251d145fad5391f4bcab/384150d7a5b60c1086790a8ee07b0629f906cca2 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 (281905) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0009). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

• Microsoft Azure Linux
• Debian Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• SUSE Linux
• SUSE openSUSE

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.17.0
• 6.17.1
• 6.17.2
• 6.17.3
• 6.17.4
• 6.17.5
• 6.17.6
• 6.17.7
• 6.17.8
• 6.17.9
• 6.17.10
• 6.17.11
• 6.17.12
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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