Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-68214)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2025-68214). Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
timers: Fix NULL function pointer race in timer_shutdown_sync()
There is a race condition between timer_shutdown_sync() and timer
expiration that can lead to hitting a WARN_ON in expire_timers().
The issue occurs when timer_shutdown_sync() clears the timer function
to NULL while the timer is still running on another CPU. The race
scenario looks like this:
CPU0 CPU1
lock_timer_base()
expire_timers()
base->running_timer = timer;
unlock_timer_base()
[call_timer_fn enter]
mod_timer()
...
timer_shutdown_sync()
lock_timer_base()
// For now, will not detach the timer but only clear its function to NULL
if (base->running_timer != timer)
ret = detach_if_pending(timer, base, true);
if (shutdown)
timer->function = NULL;
unlock_timer_base()
[call_timer_fn exit]
lock_timer_base()
base->running_timer = NULL;
unlock_timer_base()
...
// Now timer is pending while its function set to NULL.
// next timer trigger
expire_timers()
WARN_ON_ONCE(!fn) // hit
...
lock_timer_base()
// Now timer will detach
if (base->running_timer != timer)
ret = detach_if_pending(timer, base, true);
if (shutdown)
timer->function = NULL;
unlock_timer_base()
The problem is that timer_shutdown_sync() clears the timer function
regardless of whether the timer is currently running. This can leave a
pending timer with a NULL function pointer, which t…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-68214 has been found in Linux kernel.
Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure. CVSS score: 4.7/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2025-68214" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2025-68214 (Linux kernel) — CWE-362 / CVSS v3 4.7
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
A vulnerability (CWE-362) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: Medium (CVSS 4.7/10). Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2025-68214 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.12.61-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2025-68214 linux Fixed in: 6.1.159-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2025-68214 linux-hwe-edge
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org