CVE-2025-68816
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's mlx5 firmware tracer. A malicious or compromised firmware can provide specially crafted format strings to the tracer. Due to insufficient validation of these parameters, this can lead to system crashes, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS), or potentially allow access to arbitrary memory locations.
Statement
Exploiting this vulnerability requires an attacker to be able to connect a device with maliciously designed firmware to the system.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.6 | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Physical | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | N/A |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Memory
Format string problems allow for information disclosure which can severely simplify exploitation of the program.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Format string problems can result in the execution of arbitrary code, buffer overflows, denial of service, or incorrect data representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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