Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9 wifi mlo_scan_start_wk use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9. This issue affects the function mlo_scan_start_wk of the component wifi. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-23185. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9. This affects the function mlo_scan_start_wk of the component wifi. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: iwlwifi: mld: cancel mlo_scan_start_wk mlo_scan_start_wk is not canceled on disconnection. In fact, it is not canceled anywhere except in the restart cleanup, where we don't really have to. This can cause an init-after-queue issue: if, for example, the work was queued and then drv_change_interface got executed. This can also cause use-after-free: if the work is executed after the vif is freed.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-23185 since 01/13/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. 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 04/13/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299114 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23185), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.18.10 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 9b9f52f052f4953fecd2190ae2dde3aa76d10962/5ff641011ab7fb63ea101251087745d9826e8ef5 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 (299114), EUVD (EUVD-2026-5859) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0421). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

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

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 299114
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23185

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.10
Patch: 9b9f52f052f4953fecd2190ae2dde3aa76d10962/5ff641011ab7fb63ea101251087745d9826e8ef5

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/14/2026 +32 days Advisory disclosed
02/14/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/13/2026 +58 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23185 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23185
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-346053
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0421 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/14/2026 18:09
Updated: 04/13/2026 06:22
Changes: 02/14/2026 18:09 (59), 02/15/2026 12:12 (2), 02/19/2026 14:44 (1), 02/20/2026 06:47 (1), 03/19/2026 06:12 (11), 04/13/2026 06:22 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Interested in the pricing of exploits?

See the underground prices here!