CVE-2025-68351
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
Reference Count Leak in Linux Kernel exFAT Driver Fixed

Publication date: 2025-12-24

Last updated on: 2026-02-26

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: exfat: fix refcount leak in exfat_find Fix refcount leaks in `exfat_find` related to `exfat_get_dentry_set`. Function `exfat_get_dentry_set` would increase the reference counter of `es->bh` on success. Therefore, `exfat_put_dentry_set` must be called after `exfat_get_dentry_set` to ensure refcount consistency. This patch relocate two checks to avoid possible leaks.
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Meta Information
Published
2025-12-24
Last Modified
2026-02-26
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2025-12-25
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-14
NVD
CVE-2025-68351
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 7 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 6.14
linux linux_kernel 6.14
linux linux_kernel 6.14
linux linux_kernel From 6.13.11 (inc) to 6.14 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.12.23 (inc) to 6.12.68 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.12.59 (inc) to 6.13 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.14.1 (inc) to 6.18.2 (exc)
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, update your Linux kernel to the version that includes the patch fixing the refcount leak in exfat_find related to exfat_get_dentry_set. Ensure that the kernel version you use has the fix applied to maintain reference count consistency and avoid leaks.

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a reference count leak in the Linux kernel's exFAT filesystem code, specifically in the function exfat_find related to exfat_get_dentry_set. The function exfat_get_dentry_set increases the reference counter of a buffer head (es->bh) on success, but if exfat_put_dentry_set is not called afterwards, the reference count is not properly decremented, causing a leak. The patch fixes this by relocating checks to avoid these possible leaks.

Impact Analysis

The reference count leak can lead to resource leaks in the kernel, potentially causing increased memory usage or instability in the system over time. While it may not directly lead to immediate security breaches, such leaks can degrade system performance or cause unexpected behavior.

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