Linux Kernel up to 6.5.4 wifi ath12k_mac_op_hw_scan null pointer dereference

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.4. It has been classified as critical. The impacted element is the function ath12k_mac_op_hw_scan of the component wifi. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-53721. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.4 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function ath12k_mac_op_hw_scan of the component wifi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: Fix a NULL pointer dereference in ath12k_mac_op_hw_scan() In ath12k_mac_op_hw_scan(), the return value of kzalloc() is directly used in memcpy(), which may lead to a NULL pointer dereference on failure of kzalloc(). Fix this bug by adding a check of arg.extraie.ptr. Tested-on: WCN7850 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HMT.1.0-03427-QCAHMTSWPL_V1.0_V2.0_SILICONZ-1.15378.4

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-53721 since 10/22/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.5.5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5a263df398b581189fe632b4ab8440f3dd76c251/8ad314da54c6dd223a6b6cc85019160aa842f659 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-2025-2394). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

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

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.5.5
Patch: 5a263df398b581189fe632b4ab8440f3dd76c251/8ad314da54c6dd223a6b6cc85019160aa842f659

Timelineinfo

10/22/2025 Advisory disclosed
10/22/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
10/22/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/28/2026 +129 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53721 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53721
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-329369
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2394 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/22/2025 17:53
Updated: 02/28/2026 13:15
Changes: 10/22/2025 17:53 (59), 01/02/2026 07:53 (7), 02/28/2026 13:15 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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