CVE-2019-15926 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.2.3. Out of bounds access exists in the functions ath6kl_wmi_pstream_timeout_event_rx and ath6kl_wmi_cac_event_rx in the file drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/wmi.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15926 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the Linux kernel's wireless networking subsystem. This issue affects versions prior to 5.2.3 and specifically targets the ath6kl driver implementation which manages Qualcomm Atheros 6000 series wireless chipsets. The flaw manifests in two distinct functions within the wireless media access control layer, namely ath6kl_wmi_pstream_timeout_event_rx and ath6kl_wmi_cac_event_rx, both located in the drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/wmi.c source file. These functions handle wireless management interface events related to packet stream timeouts and channel availability checks respectively, making them critical components in wireless network operation and management.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the wireless management interface processing code. When these functions receive specially crafted wireless management events, they fail to validate the length or boundaries of incoming data structures before accessing memory locations. This allows an attacker positioned within the wireless network's coverage area to potentially manipulate the wireless management interface protocol messages, leading to memory corruption that could result in arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability follows the common pattern of buffer over-read conditions that are classified under CWE-129 as improper validation of length of buffer, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787 which describes out-of-bounds write operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable remote code execution within the kernel context. Attackers can exploit this flaw by transmitting malicious wireless management frames that trigger the vulnerable code paths, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This represents a significant threat to wireless network security as it can be exploited from within the wireless network's broadcast range without requiring physical access or authentication. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many embedded systems and IoT devices rely on Qualcomm Atheros chipsets for wireless connectivity, making these systems vulnerable to exploitation by adversaries within radio range. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for kernel-mode rootkits and T1566 for wireless network attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15926 primarily focus on upgrading the Linux kernel to version 5.2.3 or later where the vulnerability has been patched through proper bounds checking implementations. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running wireless infrastructure or devices using Qualcomm Atheros 6000 series chipsets. Additional defensive measures include implementing wireless network monitoring to detect anomalous management frame patterns, configuring wireless access points to disable unnecessary wireless management features, and applying network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically designed to monitor wireless network traffic for signs of exploitation attempts targeting wireless management interfaces. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the affected functions, ensuring that all incoming wireless management events are properly validated before memory access operations occur, thereby preventing the out-of-bounds access conditions that previously enabled exploitation.