Linux Kernel up to 6.17.2 wifi mt7996_mac_sta_add_links 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 classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.2. This impacts the function mt7996_mac_sta_add_links of the component wifi. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-40066. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.17.2. This affects the function mt7996_mac_sta_add_links of the component wifi. 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: mt76: mt7996: Check phy before init msta_link in mt7996_mac_sta_add_links() In order to avoid a possible NULL pointer dereference in mt7996_mac_sta_init_link routine, move the phy pointer check before running mt7996_mac_sta_init_link() in mt7996_mac_sta_add_links routine.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-40066 since 04/16/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 271909 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40066), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.17.3 or 6.18-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 2e671536c1c3c7bcad95d408a4ab42e2e54d1882/fe5fffadc6c77c56f122cf1042dc830f59e904bf 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 (271909) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2431). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

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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Nessus ID: 271909
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-40066

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.17.3/6.18-rc1
Patch: 2e671536c1c3c7bcad95d408a4ab42e2e54d1882/fe5fffadc6c77c56f122cf1042dc830f59e904bf

Timelineinfo

04/16/2025 CVE reserved
10/28/2025 +195 days Advisory disclosed
10/28/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/15/2026 +110 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-40066 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-40066
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-330273
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2431 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/28/2025 15:51
Updated: 02/15/2026 21:49
Changes: 10/28/2025 15:51 (59), 10/29/2025 09:30 (2), 10/30/2025 06:49 (7), 11/24/2025 23:11 (1), 12/22/2025 02:00 (1), 02/08/2026 18:13 (1), 02/15/2026 21:49 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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