Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.2 ext4 ext4_raw_inode null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.2. It has been classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ext4_raw_inode of the component ext4. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-68820. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.159/6.6.119/6.12.63/6.18.2 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ext4_raw_inode of the component ext4. 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: ext4: xattr: fix null pointer deref in ext4_raw_inode() If ext4_get_inode_loc() fails (e.g. if it returns -EFSCORRUPTED), iloc.bh will remain set to NULL. Since ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all() lacks error checking, this will lead to a null pointer dereference in ext4_raw_inode(), called right after ext4_get_inode_loc(). Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-68820 since 12/24/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298917 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2026:0472-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.64, 6.18.3 or 6.19-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 190ad0f22ba49f1101182b80e3af50ca2ddfe72f/b5d942922182e82724b7152cb998f540132885ec/5b154e901fda2e98570b8f426a481f5740097dc2/ce5f54c065a4a7cbb92787f4f140917112350142/b97cb7d6a051aa6ebd57906df0e26e9e36c26d14 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 vulnerability database at Tenable (298917). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: 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: 298917
Nessus Name: SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2026:0472-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.160/6.6.120/6.12.64/6.18.3/6.19-rc1
Patch: 190ad0f22ba49f1101182b80e3af50ca2ddfe72f/b5d942922182e82724b7152cb998f540132885ec/5b154e901fda2e98570b8f426a481f5740097dc2/ce5f54c065a4a7cbb92787f4f140917112350142/b97cb7d6a051aa6ebd57906df0e26e9e36c26d14

Timelineinfo

12/24/2025 CVE reserved
01/13/2026 +20 days Advisory disclosed
01/13/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/14/2026 +32 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-68820 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-68820
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-340681

Entryinfo

Created: 01/13/2026 17:51
Updated: 02/14/2026 23:00
Changes: 01/13/2026 17:51 (59), 02/14/2026 23:00 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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