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CVE Record

CVE-2025-68816: net/mlx5: fw_tracer, Validate format string parameters

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5: fw_tracer, Validate format string parameters Add validation for format string parameters in the firmware tracer to prevent potential security vulnerabilities and crashes from malformed format strings received from firmware. The firmware tracer receives format strings from the device firmware and uses them to format trace messages. Without proper validation, bad firmware could provide format strings with invalid format specifiers (e.g., %s, %p, %n) that could lead to crashes, or other undefined behavior. Add mlx5_tracer_validate_params() to validate that all format specifiers in trace strings are limited to safe integer/hex formats (%x, %d, %i, %u, %llx, %lx, etc.). Reject strings containing other format types that could be used to access arbitrary memory or cause crashes. Invalid format strings are added to the trace output for visibility with "BAD_FORMAT: " prefix.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue affects the mlx5 network driver firmware tracer. The driver trusted trace format strings supplied by device firmware, so malformed firmware could trigger crashes or undefined behavior. The bundle does not show active exploitation, CVSS, or a severity rating.

Executive priority

Treat this as targeted infrastructure hygiene, not a broad internet emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize network-intensive Linux systems with mlx5 hardware, especially appliances or regulated environments where kernel crashes affect availability.

Technical view

The mlx5 fw_tracer used firmware-provided format strings for trace output. The fix adds mlx5_tracer_validate_params() to allow only safe integer and hex specifiers and mark rejected strings with a BAD_FORMAT prefix. The stated risk is crashes or undefined behavior from invalid specifiers such as pointer, string, or write-style formats.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using Mellanox/NVIDIA mlx5 devices and affected kernel builds. The bundle lists Linux versions and stable commits but does not identify all downstream distributions, appliances, or Siemens product details.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing is present, and the source bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation. The described prerequisite is malformed or bad device firmware supplying unsafe trace format strings, which narrows practical exposure but does not remove operational risk.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CWE, and detailed downstream product mapping. Analysis should focus on patch presence in mlx5 fw_tracer and whether firmware-controlled trace strings are reachable in deployed configurations. Avoid assuming exploitation without additional evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported mlx5 fixes.
  • Review Siemens SSA-019113 if Siemens products are in scope.
  • Prioritize hosts using mlx5 hardware or firmware tracing.
  • If no vendor package exists, follow vendor kernel guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts with mlx5 drivers or Mellanox/NVIDIA adapters.
  • Map running kernel versions against vendor-fixed releases.
  • Confirm the kernel includes the fw_tracer format validation patch.
  • Check trace logs for BAD_FORMAT entries after updating.
  • Track distribution and Siemens advisories for product-specific status.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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-2025-68816 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
2ADP providers
9Source links

SSVC decision data

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

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
other:ssvc
siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398, 70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398, 70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398, 70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398, 70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398, 70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398, 70dd6fdb8987b14f7b6105f6be0617299e459398unaffected
LinuxLinux4.19, 0, 5.10.248, 5.15.198, 6.1.160, 6.6.120, 6.12.64, 6.18.3, 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.