Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9 cfg80211_get_ies_channel_number privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9. The impacted element is the function cfg80211_get_ies_channel_number. The manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-71227. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.9. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: don't WARN for connections on invalid channels It's not clear (to me) how exactly syzbot managed to hit this, but it seems conceivable that e.g. regulatory changed and has disabled a channel between scanning (channel is checked to be usable by cfg80211_get_ies_channel_number) and connecting on the channel later. With one scenario that isn't covered elsewhere described above, the warning isn't good, replace it with a (more informative) error message.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-71227 since 02/14/2026. 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 05/22/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 299438 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-71227), 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 10d3ff7e5812c8d70300f6fa8f524009a06aa7e1/99067b58a408a384d2a45c105eb3dce980a862ce 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 (299438) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0462). 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
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
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: 299438
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-71227

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.10
Patch: 10d3ff7e5812c8d70300f6fa8f524009a06aa7e1/99067b58a408a384d2a45c105eb3dce980a862ce

Timelineinfo

02/14/2026 CVE reserved
02/18/2026 +4 days Advisory disclosed
02/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/22/2026 +93 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-71227 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-71227
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-346529
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0462 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/18/2026 16:56
Updated: 05/22/2026 05:23
Changes: 02/18/2026 16:56 (57), 02/19/2026 23:55 (7), 02/20/2026 02:08 (2), 03/19/2026 07:23 (11), 05/22/2026 05:23 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

Discussion

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