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CVE Record

CVE-2025-68762: net: netpoll: initialize work queue before error checks

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: netpoll: initialize work queue before error checks Prevent a kernel warning when netconsole setup fails on devices with IFF_DISABLE_NETPOLL flag. The warning (at kernel/workqueue.c:4242 in __flush_work) occurs because the cleanup path tries to cancel an uninitialized work queue. When __netpoll_setup() encounters a device with IFF_DISABLE_NETPOLL, it fails early and calls skb_pool_flush() for cleanup. This function calls cancel_work_sync(&np->refill_wq), but refill_wq hasn't been initialized yet, triggering the warning. Move INIT_WORK() to the beginning of __netpoll_setup(), ensuring the work queue is properly initialized before any potential failure points. This allows the cleanup path to safely cancel the work queue regardless of where the setup fails.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can trigger a kernel warning when netconsole/netpoll setup fails on a device that disables netpoll. The sources describe a reliability bug in error handling, not confirmed remote code execution or active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine kernel reliability fix unless your environment depends on netconsole/netpoll for incident visibility or remote diagnostics. Patch through normal kernel maintenance after vendor confirmation.

Technical view

In __netpoll_setup(), an early failure on IFF_DISABLE_NETPOLL devices could enter cleanup before np->refill_wq was initialized. skb_pool_flush() then called cancel_work_sync() on that uninitialized work item, causing a kernel warning. The fix moves INIT_WORK() before possible failure paths.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears narrow: Linux systems running affected kernel builds and using netconsole or netpoll setup paths with devices marked IFF_DISABLE_NETPOLL. The source bundle does not identify affected distributions or appliances.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing or source-bundle evidence indicates active exploitation. The described trigger is a setup failure path that produces a kernel warning, with no public evidence here of broader compromise impact.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a cleanup-order bug in netpoll, fixed by early work-queue initialization. Severity, CVSS, CWE, exploitability, and downstream package mapping are not provided in the source bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using netconsole or netpoll-dependent operational logging.
  • Check distribution advisories for exact package versions and backports.
  • Avoid assuming upstream version numbers map directly to vendor kernels.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across exposed and operationally critical systems.
  • Identify hosts configured for netconsole or netpoll-based logging.
  • Check vendor changelogs for CVE-2025-68762 or the referenced commits.
  • Review kernel logs for warnings during failed netconsole setup.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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-2025-68762 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

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
LinuxLinux248f6571fd4c51531f7f8f07f186f7ae98a50afc, 248f6571fd4c51531f7f8f07f186f7ae98a50afc, 248f6571fd4c51531f7f8f07f186f7ae98a50afcunaffected
LinuxLinux6.15, 0, 6.17.13, 6.18.2, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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