CVE-2025-68808: Linux kernel · media: vidtv: initialize local pointers upon transfer of memory ownership
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1103.112~20.04.1 +70
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 13 Jan 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-22.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1012.12?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1013.13?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1012.12?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1011.11?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch addressing this vulnerability is available and should be applied promptly. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms that fixes have been released for affected Linux kernel versions. Users should update their Linux kernel to the fixed versions as provided by their distribution. No additional mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A use-after-free and double-free vulnerability was identified and resolved in the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically in the vidtv component. The issue arises because local pointers are not initialized to NULL after transferring memory ownership, leading to potential double freeing of memory. This flaw can cause system instability or crashes. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A patch is available and has been incorporated in updated Linux kernel releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-68808 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-68808 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/98aabfe2d79f74613abc2b0b1cef08f97eaf5322 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/30f4d4e5224a9e44e9ceb3956489462319d804ce (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3caa18d35f1dabe85a3dd31bc387f391ac9f9b4e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/98aabfe2d79f74613abc2b0b1cef08f97eaf5322 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a69c7fd603bf5ad93177394fbd9711922ee81032 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb9bd6d8d314b748e946ed6555eb4a956ee8c4d8 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8116-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8141-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8163-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8163-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8177-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8179-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8177-2 (opens in a new tab)