Linux Kernel up to 6.1.41/6.4.6 mac80211_hwsim_select_tx_link null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.41/6.4.6. Affected is the function mac80211_hwsim_select_tx_link. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-53209. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.41/6.4.6. This affects the function mac80211_hwsim_select_tx_link. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211_hwsim: Fix possible NULL dereference In a call to mac80211_hwsim_select_tx_link() the sta pointer might be NULL, thus need to check that it is not NULL before accessing it.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53209 since 09/15/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.1.42 or 6.4.7 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d0124848c7940aba73492e282506b32a13f2e30e/a8a20fed3e05b3a6866c5c58855deaf3c217ccd6/0cc80943ef518a1c51a1111e9346d1daf11dd545 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 CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2053). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• IBM QRadar SIEM
• SUSE openSUSE
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway
• F5 F5OS

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1
• 6.1.2
• 6.1.3
• 6.1.4
• 6.1.5
• 6.1.6
• 6.1.7
• 6.1.8
• 6.1.9
• 6.1.10
• 6.1.11
• 6.1.12
• 6.1.13
• 6.1.14
• 6.1.15
• 6.1.16
• 6.1.17
• 6.1.18
• 6.1.19
• 6.1.20
• 6.1.21
• 6.1.22
• 6.1.23
• 6.1.24
• 6.1.25
• 6.1.26
• 6.1.27
• 6.1.28
• 6.1.29
• 6.1.30
• 6.1.31
• 6.1.32
• 6.1.33
• 6.1.34
• 6.1.35
• 6.1.36
• 6.1.37
• 6.1.38
• 6.1.39
• 6.1.40
• 6.1.41
• 6.4.0
• 6.4.1
• 6.4.2
• 6.4.3
• 6.4.4
• 6.4.5
• 6.4.6

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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