Linux Kernel up to 6.19.5 staging rtw_free_network_nolock null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 6.19.5. Affected by this issue is the function rtw_free_network_nolock of the component staging. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-43159. No exploit is available.
Upgrading the affected component is recommended.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.19.5. This vulnerability affects the function rtw_free_network_nolock of the component staging. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: staging: rtl8723bs: fix null dereference in find_network The variable pwlan has the possibility of being NULL when passed into rtw_free_network_nolock() which would later dereference the variable.
The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-43159 since 05/01/2026. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.
Upgrading to version 5.10.253, 5.15.202, 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.16 or 6.19.6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3b1d0c9a1f78836d0bce6fdd37f596f22c19b03e/1aa9c59f4b96a9056c02476c7ca89e96d15e0645/48b4dec3a8bfd667cd0cd767eaf511176193e9a1/cc3f83b6fb3773ad943365d1cd774b4ec050332e/04d24a3654ed195485bc6346a9ef326fc494a34e/677490a6bd4c63acdf6f48e4aaf6a23d7e6a446f/7fa16ffed2b9d9d44940990c1f31159770769aeb/41460a19654c32d39fd0e3a3671cd8d4b7b8479f 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 5.10.252
- 5.15.201
- 6.1.164
- 6.6.127
- 6.12.0
- 6.12.1
- 6.12.2
- 6.12.3
- 6.12.4
- 6.12.5
- 6.12.6
- 6.12.7
- 6.12.8
- 6.12.9
- 6.12.10
- 6.12.11
- 6.12.12
- 6.12.13
- 6.12.14
- 6.12.15
- 6.12.16
- 6.12.17
- 6.12.18
- 6.12.19
- 6.12.20
- 6.12.21
- 6.12.22
- 6.12.23
- 6.12.24
- 6.12.25
- 6.12.26
- 6.12.27
- 6.12.28
- 6.12.29
- 6.12.30
- 6.12.31
- 6.12.32
- 6.12.33
- 6.12.34
- 6.12.35
- 6.12.36
- 6.12.37
- 6.12.38
- 6.12.39
- 6.12.40
- 6.12.41
- 6.12.42
- 6.12.43
- 6.12.44
- 6.12.45
- 6.12.46
- 6.12.47
- 6.12.48
- 6.12.49
- 6.12.50
- 6.12.51
- 6.12.52
- 6.12.53
- 6.12.54
- 6.12.55
- 6.12.56
- 6.12.57
- 6.12.58
- 6.12.59
- 6.12.60
- 6.12.61
- 6.12.62
- 6.12.63
- 6.12.64
- 6.12.65
- 6.12.66
- 6.12.67
- 6.12.68
- 6.12.69
- 6.12.70
- 6.12.71
- 6.12.72
- 6.12.73
- 6.12.74
- 6.18.0
- 6.18.1
- 6.18.2
- 6.18.3
- 6.18.4
- 6.18.5
- 6.18.6
- 6.18.7
- 6.18.8
- 6.18.9
- 6.18.10
- 6.18.11
- 6.18.12
- 6.18.13
- 6.18.14
- 6.18.15
- 6.19.0
- 6.19.1
- 6.19.2
- 6.19.3
- 6.19.4
- 6.19.5
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.253/5.15.202/6.1.165/6.6.128/6.12.75/6.18.16/6.19.6
Patch: 3b1d0c9a1f78836d0bce6fdd37f596f22c19b03e/1aa9c59f4b96a9056c02476c7ca89e96d15e0645/48b4dec3a8bfd667cd0cd767eaf511176193e9a1/cc3f83b6fb3773ad943365d1cd774b4ec050332e/04d24a3654ed195485bc6346a9ef326fc494a34e/677490a6bd4c63acdf6f48e4aaf6a23d7e6a446f/7fa16ffed2b9d9d44940990c1f31159770769aeb/41460a19654c32d39fd0e3a3671cd8d4b7b8479f
Timeline
05/01/2026 CVE reserved05/06/2026 Advisory disclosed
05/06/2026 VulDB entry created
05/17/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-43159 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-43159
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-361450
Entry
Created: 05/06/2026 16:47Updated: 05/17/2026 14:14
Changes: 05/06/2026 16:47 (59), 05/17/2026 14:14 (10)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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