CVE-2023-54141 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: ath11k: Add missing hw_ops->get_ring_selector() for IPQ5018
During sending data after clients connected, hw_ops->get_ring_selector() will be called. But for IPQ5018, this member isn't set, and the following NULL pointer exception will be occurred:
[ 38.840478] 8<--- cut here ---
[ 38.840517] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 00000000
... [ 38.923161] PC is at 0x0
[ 38.927930] LR is at ath11k_dp_tx+0x70/0x730 [ath11k]
... [ 39.063264] Process hostapd (pid: 1034, stack limit = 0x801ceb3d)
[ 39.068994] Stack: (0x856a9a68 to 0x856aa000)
... [ 39.438467] [<7f323804>] (ath11k_dp_tx [ath11k]) from [<7f314e6c>] (ath11k_mac_op_tx+0x80/0x190 [ath11k])
[ 39.446607] [<7f314e6c>] (ath11k_mac_op_tx [ath11k]) from [<7f17dbe0>] (ieee80211_handle_wake_tx_queue+0x7c/0xc0 [mac80211])
[ 39.456162] [<7f17dbe0>] (ieee80211_handle_wake_tx_queue [mac80211]) from [<7f174450>] (ieee80211_probereq_get+0x584/0x704 [mac80211])
[ 39.467443] [<7f174450>] (ieee80211_probereq_get [mac80211]) from [<7f178c40>] (ieee80211_tx_prepare_skb+0x1f8/0x248 [mac80211])
[ 39.479334] [<7f178c40>] (ieee80211_tx_prepare_skb [mac80211]) from [<7f179e28>] (__ieee80211_subif_start_xmit+0x32c/0x3d4 [mac80211])
[ 39.491053] [<7f179e28>] (__ieee80211_subif_start_xmit [mac80211]) from [<7f17af08>] (ieee80211_tx_control_port+0x19c/0x288 [mac80211])
[ 39.502946] [<7f17af08>] (ieee80211_tx_control_port [mac80211]) from [<7f0fc704>] (nl80211_tx_control_port+0x174/0x1d4 [cfg80211])
[ 39.515017] [<7f0fc704>] (nl80211_tx_control_port [cfg80211]) from [<808ceac4>] (genl_rcv_msg+0x154/0x340)
[ 39.526814] [<808ceac4>] (genl_rcv_msg) from [<808cdb74>] (netlink_rcv_skb+0xb8/0x11c)
[ 39.536446] [<808cdb74>] (netlink_rcv_skb) from [<808ce1d0>] (genl_rcv+0x28/0x34)
[ 39.544344] [<808ce1d0>] (genl_rcv) from [<808cd234>] (netlink_unicast+0x174/0x274)
[ 39.551895] [<808cd234>] (netlink_unicast) from [<808cd510>] (netlink_sendmsg+0x1dc/0x440)
[ 39.559362] [<808cd510>] (netlink_sendmsg) from [<808596e0>] (____sys_sendmsg+0x1a8/0x1fc)
[ 39.567697] [<808596e0>] (____sys_sendmsg) from [<8085b1a8>] (___sys_sendmsg+0xa4/0xdc)
[ 39.575941] [<8085b1a8>] (___sys_sendmsg) from [<8085b310>] (sys_sendmsg+0x44/0x74)
[ 39.583841] [<8085b310>] (sys_sendmsg) from [<80300060>] (ret_fast_syscall+0x0/0x40)
... [ 39.620734] Code: bad PC value
[ 39.625869] ---[ end trace 8aef983ad3cbc032 ]---
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-54141 represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically affecting the ath11k driver implementation for Qualcomm's IPQ5018 chipset. This flaw occurs during normal data transmission operations when connected client devices attempt to send data packets through the wireless interface. The root cause lies in the incomplete hardware operations structure initialization for the IPQ5018 device variant, where the crucial hw_ops->get_ring_selector() function pointer remains unset. This function pointer is essential for determining the appropriate transmit ring selector during data packet processing, and its absence leads to immediate kernel panic conditions when the driver attempts to invoke this missing function.
The technical impact of this vulnerability manifests as a kernel NULL pointer dereference exception that crashes the entire system during active wireless data transmission. The stack trace reveals a complex call chain originating from hostapd process through mac80211 subsystem and culminating in the ath11k driver's data path processing functions. Specifically, the error occurs in ath11k_dp_tx function which attempts to call the uninitialized get_ring_selector() method, resulting in a program counter value of zero and subsequent system crash. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-476 Null Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog and represents a fundamental programming error where code assumes a pointer will not be null without proper validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-54141 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially disrupt wireless network services and compromise system availability for devices running affected Linux kernel versions. This vulnerability affects wireless access points and devices utilizing the IPQ5018 chipset, making it particularly concerning for enterprise and infrastructure deployments where wireless connectivity is critical. The attack surface is limited to systems where the ath11k driver is actively managing wireless interfaces with IPQ5018 hardware, and the exploitation occurs during normal client data transmission operations rather than requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 Network Denial of Service and T1566.002 Phishing via Spearphishing Attachment, as it can be leveraged to disrupt wireless services or potentially as part of a broader attack chain targeting wireless infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate kernel updates containing the fix that properly initializes the hw_ops->get_ring_selector() function pointer for IPQ5018 devices. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running wireless access point configurations or embedded devices utilizing Qualcomm's IPQ5018 chipset. The fix involves ensuring that all hardware operation structures are properly initialized for supported device variants, preventing the null pointer dereference condition. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect potential kernel panic events or wireless service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing device-specific firmware updates from chipset vendors and maintaining strict kernel version control to prevent similar issues in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive driver initialization testing, particularly for hardware variants that may have incomplete or missing function pointer implementations in device driver frameworks.