Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3 wifi ath12k_mac_station_add memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ath12k_mac_station_add of the component wifi. The manipulation results in memory leak. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-38199. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.15.3. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function ath12k_mac_station_add of the component wifi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: Fix memory leak due to multiple rx_stats allocation rx_stats for each arsta is allocated when adding a station. arsta->rx_stats will be freed when a station is removed. Redundant allocations are occurring when the same station is added multiple times. This causes ath12k_mac_station_add() to be called multiple times, and rx_stats is allocated each time. As a result there is memory leaks. Prevent multiple allocations of rx_stats when ath12k_mac_station_add() is called repeatedly by checking if rx_stats is already allocated before allocating again. Allocate arsta->rx_stats if arsta->rx_stats is NULL respectively. Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.3.1-00173-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1 Tested-on: WCN7850 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HMT.1.0.c5-00481-QCAHMTSWPL_V1.0_V2.0_SILICONZ-3

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-38199 since 04/16/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 271193 (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 25.04 : Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities (USN-7834-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.15.4 or 6.16-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 232f962ae5fca98912a719e64b4964a5aec7c99b/c426497fa2055c8005196922e7d29c41d7e0948a 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 databases at Tenable (271193), EUVD (EUVD-2025-20057) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1465). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 271193
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 25.04 : Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities (USN-7834-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.15.4/6.16-rc1
Patch: 232f962ae5fca98912a719e64b4964a5aec7c99b/c426497fa2055c8005196922e7d29c41d7e0948a

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
07/04/2025 +79 days Advisory disclosed
07/04/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/13/2025 +162 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-38199 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-38199
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-314952
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-1465 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 07/04/2025 16:27
Updated: 12/13/2025 22:16
Changes: 07/04/2025 16:27 (59), 07/04/2025 20:37 (1), 07/20/2025 18:35 (7), 08/25/2025 17:04 (1), 09/11/2025 05:53 (1), 09/21/2025 01:41 (1), 10/26/2025 02:28 (2), 11/03/2025 00:43 (1), 11/18/2025 22:07 (12), 12/13/2025 22:16 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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