Linux Kernel up to 6.5.12/6.6.2 ath12k ath12k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.12/6.6.2. This issue affects the function ath12k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id of the component ath12k. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-52769. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.12/6.6.2 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function ath12k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id of the component ath12k. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: fix htt mlo-offset event locking The ath12k active pdevs are protected by RCU but the htt mlo-offset event handling code calling ath12k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id() was not marked as a read-side critical section. Mark the code in question as an RCU read-side critical section to avoid any potential use-after-free issues. Compile tested only.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-52769. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/11/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 247340 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-52769), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.5.13 or 6.6.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d908ca431e20/afd3425bd696/6afc57ea315e is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (247340). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.5.0
• 6.5.1
• 6.5.2
• 6.5.3
• 6.5.4
• 6.5.5
• 6.5.6
• 6.5.7
• 6.5.8
• 6.5.9
• 6.5.10
• 6.5.11
• 6.5.12
• 6.6.0
• 6.6.1
• 6.6.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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