Linux Kernel up to 6.12.100/6.18.41/7.1.5/7.2-rc4 mlx5 lib/string_helpers.c mlx5_query_mcia buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.8$0-$5k0.43-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.100/6.18.41/7.1.5/7.2-rc4. It has been rated as very critical. This affects the function mlx5_query_mcia of the file lib/string_helpers.c of the component mlx5. Performing a manipulation results in buffer overflow. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-68293. The attack is only possible with local access. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.100/6.18.41/7.1.5/7.2-rc4. It has been classified as very critical. This affects the function mlx5_query_mcia of the file lib/string_helpers.c of the component mlx5. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5: Fix MCIA register buffer overflow on 32 dword reads The MCIA register can return up to 32 dwords (128 bytes) when the device advertises the mcia_32dwords capability, but struct mlx5_ifc_mcia_reg_bits only defines dword_0..11, leaving room for just 12 dwords (48 bytes) of data. mlx5_query_mcia() clamps the read size to mlx5_mcia_max_bytes() and then memcpy()s that many bytes out of the register, potentially reading past the end of the 'out' buffer. On kernels built with FORTIFY_SOURCE this is caught as a buffer overflow while reading the module EEPROM via ethtool: detected buffer overflow in memcpy kernel BUG at lib/string_helpers.c:1048! RIP: 0010:fortify_panic+0x13/0x20 Call Trace: mlx5_query_mcia.isra.0+0x200/0x210 [mlx5_core] mlx5_query_module_eeprom_by_page+0x4a/0xa0 [mlx5_core] mlx5e_get_module_eeprom_by_page+0xbb/0x120 [mlx5_core] eeprom_prepare_data+0xf3/0x170 ethnl_default_doit+0xf1/0x3b0 Extend the mcia_reg layout to 32 dwords.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-68293 since 07/30/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploitation needs additional levels of successful authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/10/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.101, 6.18.42, 7.1.6 or 7.2-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5be4eebd5a3a198dab0adcd550e1cadca79bdfed/87b39a8c875ca744b7de69af0a8ef8874cffccf1/88b2a16ddac3357e3f1d528e758b51e2c945d546/11c057d23465c7a5817a7284c896d19d54c0b616 is able to eliminate this problem.

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: 8.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.8

VulDB Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Temp Score: 7.8
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.101/6.18.42/7.1.6/7.2-rc5
Patch: 5be4eebd5a3a198dab0adcd550e1cadca79bdfed/87b39a8c875ca744b7de69af0a8ef8874cffccf1/88b2a16ddac3357e3f1d528e758b51e2c945d546/11c057d23465c7a5817a7284c896d19d54c0b616

Timelineinfo

07/30/2026 CVE reserved
08/10/2026 +11 days Advisory disclosed
08/10/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/10/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-68293 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-68293
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-387681

Entryinfo

Created: 08/10/2026 17:33
Changes: 08/10/2026 17:33 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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