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CVE Record

CVE-2025-68160: Heap out-of-bounds write in BIO_f_linebuffer on short writes

Issue summary: Writing large, newline-free data into a BIO chain using the line-buffering filter where the next BIO performs short writes can trigger a heap-based out-of-bounds write. Impact summary: This out-of-bounds write can cause memory corruption which typically results in a crash, leading to Denial of Service for an application. The line-buffering BIO filter (BIO_f_linebuffer) is not used by default in TLS/SSL data paths. In OpenSSL command-line applications, it is typically only pushed onto stdout/stderr on VMS systems. Third-party applications that explicitly use this filter with a BIO chain that can short-write and that write large, newline-free data influenced by an attacker would be affected. However, the circumstances where this could happen are unlikely to be under attacker control, and BIO_f_linebuffer is unlikely to be handling non-curated data controlled by an attacker. For that reason the issue was assessed as Low severity. The FIPS modules in 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3 and 3.0 are not affected by this issue, as the BIO implementation is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module boundary. OpenSSL 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.0, 1.1.1 and 1.0.2 are vulnerable to this issue.

MediumCVSS 4.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This OpenSSL flaw can corrupt heap memory and usually crash an affected application. Exposure is narrow because the vulnerable line-buffering BIO filter is not used in normal TLS/SSL paths and requires unusual short-write conditions with large attacker-influenced data.

Executive priority

Treat this as routine patch management unless your software explicitly uses OpenSSL BIO_f_linebuffer in unusual output paths. Standard internet-facing TLS exposure alone is not enough evidence for urgency.

Technical view

BIO_f_linebuffer can perform a heap out-of-bounds write when large data without newlines passes through a BIO chain and the next BIO short-writes. Affected OpenSSL branches include 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.0, 1.1.1, and 1.0.2. The FIPS modules are not affected.

Likely exposure

Most organizations are unlikely to be exposed through standard TLS services. Risk is concentrated in applications that explicitly use BIO_f_linebuffer with short-writing downstream BIOs and process large newline-free attacker-influenced output.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is indicated in the provided sources, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation requires local, high-complexity conditions with low privileges and no user interaction according to the CVSS vector.

Researcher notes

The key triage question is not just OpenSSL version, but reachable use of BIO_f_linebuffer with short writes and attacker-influenced large newline-free data. Patch references exist for maintained 3.x branches; evidence for 1.1.1 and 1.0.2 fixes is incomplete here.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade affected OpenSSL 3.x branches to fixed vendor releases referenced by OpenSSL patches.
  • For OpenSSL 1.1.1 or 1.0.2, check vendor or support-channel guidance.
  • Identify applications explicitly using BIO_f_linebuffer and prioritize them for review.
  • Reduce attacker influence over large newline-free data written through line-buffered BIO chains.
  • Monitor OpenSSL and product vendor advisories for downstream package updates.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory OpenSSL versions across servers, containers, appliances, and embedded products.
  • Search application code and dependencies for explicit BIO_f_linebuffer usage.
  • Review whether downstream BIOs can perform short writes.
  • Check whether large newline-free output can be influenced by untrusted users.
  • Confirm deployed vendor products against relevant advisories, including Siemens where applicable.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
9

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-787: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2025-68160 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.7 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
8Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.7CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H13.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.7Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-68160Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
siemens-SADPADP container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
OpenSSLOpenSSL3.6.0, 3.5.0, 3.4.0, 3.3.0, 3.0.0, 1.1.1, 1.0.2unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-787 · source CWE mapping

Out-of-bounds Write

Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.