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CVE Record

CVE-2025-68263: ksmbd: ipc: fix use-after-free in ipc_msg_send_request

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: ipc: fix use-after-free in ipc_msg_send_request ipc_msg_send_request() waits for a generic netlink reply using an ipc_msg_table_entry on the stack. The generic netlink handler (handle_generic_event()/handle_response()) fills entry->response under ipc_msg_table_lock, but ipc_msg_send_request() used to validate and free entry->response without holding the same lock. Under high concurrency this allows a race where handle_response() is copying data into entry->response while ipc_msg_send_request() has just freed it, leading to a slab-use-after-free reported by KASAN in handle_generic_event(): BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in handle_generic_event+0x3c4/0x5f0 [ksmbd] Write of size 12 at addr ffff888198ee6e20 by task pool/109349 ... Freed by task: kvfree ipc_msg_send_request [ksmbd] ksmbd_rpc_open -> ksmbd_session_rpc_open [ksmbd] Fix by: - Taking ipc_msg_table_lock in ipc_msg_send_request() while validating entry->response, freeing it when invalid, and removing the entry from ipc_msg_table. - Returning the final entry->response pointer to the caller only after the hash entry is removed under the lock. - Returning NULL in the error path, preserving the original API semantics. This makes all accesses to entry->response consistent with handle_response(), which already updates and fills the response buffer under ipc_msg_table_lock, and closes the race that allowed the UAF.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A concurrency bug in Linux ksmbd can let one kernel thread write to memory another thread just freed. This can crash a system or corrupt kernel memory. The supplied CVSS score is 9.8, but the sources do not demonstrate real-world exploitation or remote code execution. Urgency is highest for systems actively using ksmbd.

Executive priority

Treat as an urgent kernel maintenance issue for ksmbd-enabled file servers, especially where availability and kernel integrity are business-critical. Prioritize exposure verification and vendor-backed updates. Do not present active attacks or confirmed remote code execution as established facts.

Technical view

ipc_msg_send_request() validated or freed entry->response without ipc_msg_table_lock while the generic-netlink response handler filled that buffer under the lock. Under high concurrency, this creates a slab use-after-free. Stable fixes lock validation, freeing, and removal; remove the hash entry before returning the response pointer; and return NULL on error.

Likely exposure

Practical exposure depends on ksmbd being present and the affected IPC path being exercised. The bundle lists Linux 5.15, 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.62, 6.17.12, 6.18.1, and 6.19 as affected. It does not provide reliable distribution package ranges or complete backport mapping.

Exploitation context

The supplied vector indicates network access, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. However, the narrative establishes only a high-concurrency race and KASAN-detected write-after-free. No cited source reports active exploitation, and the bundle marks KEV false. Reliable attacker triggering, code execution, and attacker-controlled corruption are not established.

Researcher notes

The locking inconsistency is clearly described, including the racing writer, freeing path, KASAN evidence, and synchronization fix. The supplied severity assumes severe remote impact, but the bundle lacks triggering prerequisites, exploitability analysis, package-level ranges, and evidence of attacker-controlled memory effects. Version mapping should therefore be validated through vendor backports.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates incorporating the applicable cited stable fix.
  • Check distribution guidance for backport mapping because package-level affected ranges are not provided.
  • Confirm the updated kernel is running after maintenance.
  • If patching is delayed, assess whether ksmbd is required and follow vendor-approved exposure-reduction guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Record the running kernel version and distribution package release on systems using ksmbd.
  • Determine whether ksmbd is built, loaded, configured, or actively serving SMB workloads.
  • Map package changelogs to a cited stable commit or documented equivalent backport.
  • Review kernel logs for use-after-free reports involving handle_generic_event or ipc_msg_send_request.
  • After updating, verify the running kernel contains the applicable fix.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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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CVE-2025-68263 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
0ADP providers
7Source links

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
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-68263Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf, 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf, 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf, 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf, 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cf, 0626e6641f6b467447c81dd7678a69c66f7746cfunaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.62, 6.17.12, 6.18.1, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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