CVE-2025-68375: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86: Fix NULL event access and potential PEBS record loss When intel_pmu_dr...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86: Fix NULL event access and potential PEBS record loss When intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl() is called to drain PEBS records, the perf_event_overflow() could be called to process the last PEBS record. While perf_event_overflow() could trigger the interrupt throttle and stop all events of the group, like what the below call-chain shows. perf_event_overflow() -> __perf_event_overflow() ->__perf_event_account_interrupt() -> perf_event_throttle_group() -> perf_event_throttle() -> event->pmu->stop() -> x86_pmu_stop() The side effect of stopping the events is that all corresponding event pointers in cpuc->events[] array are cleared to NULL. Assume there are two PEBS events (event a and event b) in a group. When intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl() calls perf_event_overflow() to process the last PEBS record of PEBS event a, interrupt throttle is triggered and all pointers of event a and event b are cleared to NULL. Then intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl() tries to process the last PEBS record of event b and encounters NULL pointer access. To avoid this issue, move cpuc->events[] clearing from x86_pmu_stop() to x86_pmu_del(). It's safe since cpuc->active_mask or cpuc->pebs_enabled is always checked before access the event pointer from cpuc->events[].

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.16%

5.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= 9734e25fbf5ae68eb04234b2cd14a4b36ab89141, < cf69b99805c263117305ac6dffbc85aaf9259d32; >= 9734e25fbf5ae68eb04234b2cd14a4b36ab89141, < 6b089028bff1f2ff9e0c62b8f1faca1a620e5d6e; >= 9734e25fbf5ae68eb04234b2cd14a4b36ab89141, < 7e772a93eb61cb6265bdd1c5bde17d0f2718b452
Linux	Linux	6.16

References

Timeline

Published: Dec 24, 2025
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Deferred

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-68375?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86: Fix NULL event access and potential PEBS record loss When intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl() is called to drain PEBS records, the perf_event_overflow() could be called to process the last PEBS record. While perf_event_overflow() could trigger the interrupt throttle and stop all events of the group, like what the below call-chain shows. perf_event_overflow() -> __perf_event_overflow() ->__perf_event_account_interrupt() -> perf_event_throttle_group() -> perf_event_throttle() -> event->pmu->stop() -> x86_pmu_stop() The side effect of stopping the events is that all corresponding event pointers in cpuc->events[] array are cleared to NULL. Assume there are two PEBS events (event a and event b) in a group. When intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl() calls perf_event_overflow() to process the last PEBS record of PEBS event a, interrupt throttle is triggered and all pointers of event a and event b are cleared to NULL. Then intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl() tries to process the last PEBS record of event b and encounters NULL pointer access. To avoid this issue, move cpuc->events[] clearing from x86_pmu_stop() to x86_pmu_del(). It's safe since cpuc->active_mask or cpuc->pebs_enabled is always checked before access the event pointer from cpuc->events[].

How severe is CVE-2025-68375?

Severity scoring for CVE-2025-68375 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-68375?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

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