DOCA-Host and Mellanox OFED: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions
CVE-2025-23263 is a high-severity incorrect execution-assigned permissions vulnerability in DOCA-Host and Mellanox OFED from NVIDIA, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.6 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected DOCA-Host and Mellanox OFED versions: DOCA-Host All versions prior to 2.5.4-0.0.9; DOCA-Host All versions prior to 2.9.3-0.2.2; DOCA-Host All versions prior to 3.0.0-058001, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.21% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of DOCA-Host and Mellanox OFED you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | DOCA-Host and Mellanox OFED | DOCA-Host All versions prior to 2.5.4-0.0.9; DOCA-Host All versions prior to 2.9.3-0.2.2; DOCA-Host All versions prior to 3.0.0-058001; Mellanox OFED All versions prior to 5.8-7.0.6.1; Mellanox OFED All versions prior to 23.10-5.1.4.0; Mellanox OFED All versions prior to 24.10-3.2.5.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (nvidia.com).
Official description
NVIDIA DOCA-Host and Mellanox OFED contain a vulnerability in the VGT+ feature, where an attacker on a VM might cause escalation of privileges and denial of service on the VLAN.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions
While it is executing, the product sets the permissions of an object in a way that violates the intended permissions that have been specified by the user.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
More Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-279)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Recent Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.