CVE-2026-98425 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: mac80211: don't warn when an IBSS has no channel to scan
ieee80211_request_ibss_scan() warns when regulatory leaves no allowed channel, but that can happen as the regdomain can change while IBSS is operating, and it can continue to operate briefly during the 60s grace period until it's shut down.
Just remove the warning in this case.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2026
The vulnerability addressed involves a logic flaw within the mac80211 subsystem of the Linux kernel, specifically concerning the handling of Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) networks during regulatory domain transitions. IBSS, commonly known as ad-hoc networking, allows devices to communicate directly without an access point, relying on dynamic channel selection and synchronization among peers. The core issue arises in the ieee80211_request_ibss_scan function, which is responsible for initiating scans to find or maintain connectivity with other nodes in the IBSS network. Under normal circumstances, this function expects to identify at least one valid channel that complies with current regulatory constraints to proceed with scanning operations. However, the existing implementation triggers a warning message whenever no allowed channels are found during such a scan request.
This behavior creates an operational inconsistency because it fails to account for the dynamic nature of wireless regulatory domains. Regulatory domains define which frequency bands and transmission powers are legal in specific geographic regions, enforced by drivers based on country code settings or radar detection events. When a device moves across borders or when administrative changes occur, the active regulatory domain can shift abruptly. During such transitions, there is often a grace period, typically lasting sixty seconds, during which the network may continue to operate briefly before being shut down to comply with new regulations. Within this window, it is entirely normal and expected for no channels to be available for scanning because all previously valid frequencies have been restricted by the updated regulatory rules. By treating this legitimate state as an error condition requiring a warning, the kernel generates unnecessary log noise that can obscure genuine issues in system monitoring tools.
From a technical perspective, this flaw represents a lack of contextual awareness regarding temporary operational states defined by wireless standards and regulatory compliance frameworks. The failure to distinguish between a permanent configuration error and a transient state during regulatory transition leads to false positive alerts. This aligns with CWE-754: Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions, as the code does not adequately handle an exceptional but valid scenario where no channels are available due to external policy changes rather than internal software defects. Furthermore, this issue impacts system maintainability and operational clarity by cluttering kernel logs with non-actionable warnings during expected regulatory transitions.
The impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to log pollution and potential confusion for system administrators or automated monitoring systems that rely on kernel messages to detect real faults. While it does not lead to privilege escalation, data leakage, or denial of service in the traditional sense, persistent false warnings can degrade the signal-to-noise ratio in security auditing logs. This makes it harder for defenders to identify actual malicious activities or critical system failures amidst a stream of benign regulatory-related messages. In high-security environments where log integrity and clarity are paramount, such noise reduces operational efficiency and increases the cognitive load on security analysts tasked with reviewing kernel events.
The resolution involves modifying the ieee80211_request_ibss_scan function to suppress warnings when no channels are available due to regulatory restrictions during IBSS operation. This change acknowledges that operating without a scan target is a valid transient state during regulatory domain changes and does not indicate a software bug or misconfiguration requiring immediate attention. By removing this warning, the kernel maintains accurate logging practices while allowing the network stack to handle the graceful shutdown of the IBSS interface according to standard procedures.
To mitigate similar issues in broader wireless implementations, organizations should ensure that their monitoring systems are configured to filter out known benign warnings related to regulatory transitions or expected operational states. Additionally, developers and maintainers of kernel modules dealing with dynamic radio environments should implement robust state management that distinguishes between critical failures and temporary constraints imposed by external policies like RF regulations. Adhering to CWE guidelines for proper exception handling ensures that systems remain resilient against false alarms while maintaining strict compliance with regional wireless standards. This approach supports both operational stability and accurate security posture assessment by ensuring that alerts reflect genuine threats rather than expected environmental changes.