CVE-2025-68816 Details
Description
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.
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's firmware tracer for the Mellanox mlx5 driver has been addressed. This vulnerability involved the lack of validation for format string parameters received from device firmware, which could lead to crashes or undefined behavior. The firmware tracer uses these format strings to create trace messages, and without proper validation, malicious firmware could introduce strings with invalid specifiers that disrupt normal operation. The issue has been resolved by adding a validation function that ensures all format specifiers are limited to safe integer and hexadecimal formats. Invalid strings are now flagged and reported in the trace output.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Jan 13, 2026CISA-ADP
Assessed Jun 16, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html | siemens-SADP | |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/38ac688b52ef26a88f8bc4fe26d24fdd0ff91e5d | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/45bd283b1d69e2c97cddcb9956f0e0261fc4efd7 | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/768d559f466cdd72849110a7ecd76a21d52dcfe3 | kernel.org | |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ac688c0e430dab19f6a9b70df94b1f635612c1a | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c35c2448086870509ede43947845be0833251f0 | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/95624b731c490a4b849844269193a233d6d556a0 | kernel.org | |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b35966042d20b14e2d83330049f77deec5229749 | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
Weakness Enumeration
No weakness enumeration is available for this CVE.
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Linux kernel | All versions |
CPE
Remediation
| |
| Mellanox mlx5_fw_tracer | All versions |
CPE
Remediation
| |
Change History
5 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 14, 2026 | CVE Modified | siemens-SADP |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jan 19, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jan 13, 2026 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |
Volerion