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CVE-2025-68818 Linux CVE debrief

A Linux kernel vulnerability, CVE-2025-68818, was resolved by reverting a commit in the scsi: qla2xxx driver that caused a NULL pointer dereference in target-mode. The commit being reverted added code to __qla2x00_abort_all_cmds() to call sp->done() without holding a spinlock, which resulted in a jump to an invalid pointer. This issue was later addressed by adding a spinlock back to prevent a race and crash. However, the code above the switch statement was found to be redundant and still buggy in target-mode, so it was removed. Linux kernel users, particularly those using the qla2xxx driver, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to ensure their systems are updated with the patched kernel.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
MEDIUM 5.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-14
Original CVE updated
2026-07-28
Advisory published
2026-07-14
Advisory updated
2026-07-28

Who should care

Linux kernel users, particularly those using the qla2xxx driver, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to ensure their systems are updated with the patched kernel. This includes verifying that the qla2xxx driver is properly configured and updated, and monitoring system logs for potential issues related to the qla2xxx driver.

Technical summary

The vulnerability was introduced by a commit that added code to __qla2x00_abort_all_cmds() to call sp->done() without holding a spinlock. This resulted in a NULL pointer dereference in target-mode. The commit was later reverted, and a spinlock was added back to prevent a race and crash. However, the code above the switch statement was found to be redundant and still buggy in target-mode, so it was removed. The patched kernel includes a fix for this vulnerability.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update the Linux kernel to a version that includes the patched qla2xxx driver
  • Verify that the qla2xxx driver is properly configured and updated
  • Monitor system logs for potential issues related to the qla2xxx driver
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
  • Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-01-13T16:16:04.097Z and last modified on 2026-07-14T13:18:01.110Z. The NVD entry is currently Deferred. There is limited information available about this vulnerability, and further verification is needed to determine its scope and impact.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2025-68818 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-68818

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2025-68818 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68818

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c728951bc769b795d377852eae1abddad88635d

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/50b097d92c99f718831b8b349722bc79f718ba1b

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b04b3733fff7e94566386b962e4795550fbdfd3d

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b10ebbfd59a535c8d22f4ede6e8389622ce98dc0

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b57fbc88715b6d18f379463f48a15b560b087ffe

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c5c37a821bd1708f26a9522b4a6f47b9f7a20003

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e9e601b7df58ba0c667baf30263331df2c02ffe1

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.