CVE-2025-68388: Allocation of resources without limits or throttling (CWE-770) allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to ca

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2025-68388 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting packetbeat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Allocation of resources without limits or throttling (CWE-770) allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to cause excessive allocation (CAPEC-130) of memory and CPU via the integration of malicious IPv4 fragments, leading to a degradation in Packetbeat.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-770
Published	2025-12-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Elastic · Vendor: elasticsearch

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-12-18 22:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 09:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

elasticsearch packetbeat UPGRADE

Affected: >= 8.6.0 and < 8.19.9 · >= 9.0.0 and < 9.1.9 · >= 9.2.0 and < 9.2.3

Fixed in: 8.19.9, 9.1.9, 9.2.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.6.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy packetbeat || rpm -q packetbeat || packetbeat --version

2. UPGRADE to 8.19.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade packetbeat

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade packetbeat

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison packetbeat sudo apt install packetbeat=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.6.0> sudo apt-mark hold packetbeat

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list packetbeat sudo dnf downgrade packetbeat-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.6.0> sudo dnf versionlock add packetbeat

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-68388?

packetbeat: upgrade to 8.19.9, 9.1.9, 9.2.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-68388 being exploited?

CVE-2025-68388 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-68388 affect?

CVE-2025-68388 affects packetbeat. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). Allocation of resources without limits or throttling (CWE-770) allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to cause excessive allocation (CAPEC-130) of memory and CPU via the integration of malicious IPv4 fragments, leading to a degradation i

How urgent is CVE-2025-68388?

Priority 32/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Elasticsearch vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-26933 MEDIUM 5.7 UPGRADE Improper Validation of Array Index (CWE-129) in multiple protocol parser components in Packetbeat can lead Den
CVE-2026-26932 MEDIUM 5.7 UPGRADE Improper Validation of Array Index (CWE-129) in the PostgreSQL protocol parser in Packetbeat can lead Denial o
CVE-2025-68382 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a buffer overflow (CAPEC-100
CVE-2025-68381 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Improper Bounds Check (CWE-787) in Packetbeat can allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to exploit a Buffer

References

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