Linux Kernel up to 6.18.13/6.19.3 wifi mac.c ath12k_mac_op_change_vif_links links_map initialization

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.13/6.19.3. This vulnerability affects the function ath12k_mac_op_change_vif_links of the file drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c of the component wifi. This manipulation of the argument links_map causes initialization. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-46248. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.13/6.19.3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ath12k_mac_op_change_vif_links of the file drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c of the component wifi. The manipulation of the argument links_map with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-665. The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource, which might leave the resource in an unexpected state when it is accessed or used. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: clear stale link mapping of ahvif->links_map When an arvif is initialized in non-AP STA mode but MLO connection preparation fails before the arvif is created (arvif->is_created remains false), the error path attempts to delete all links. However, link deletion only executes when arvif->is_created is true. As a result, ahvif retains a stale entry of arvif that is initialized but not created. When a new arvif is initialized with the same link id, this stale mapping triggers the following WARN_ON. WARNING: drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c:4271 at ath12k_mac_op_change_vif_links+0x140/0x180 [ath12k], CPU#3: wpa_supplicant/275 Call trace: ath12k_mac_op_change_vif_links+0x140/0x180 [ath12k] (P) drv_change_vif_links+0xbc/0x1a4 [mac80211] ieee80211_vif_update_links+0x54c/0x6a0 [mac80211] ieee80211_vif_set_links+0x40/0x70 [mac80211] ieee80211_prep_connection+0x84/0x450 [mac80211] ieee80211_mgd_auth+0x200/0x480 [mac80211] ieee80211_auth+0x14/0x20 [mac80211] cfg80211_mlme_auth+0x90/0xf0 [cfg80211] nl80211_authenticate+0x32c/0x380 [cfg80211] genl_family_rcv_msg_doit+0xc8/0x134 Fix this issue by unassigning the link vif and clearing ahvif->links_map if arvif is only initialized but not created. Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.5-01651-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-46248 since 05/13/2026. The exploitation appears to be difficult. 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 06/03/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.14 or 6.19.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch da289440f04c93048d82d293b180f1cacdfee2d9/acd8319e834be6790e449701cb6df0f636801977/2c1ba9c2adf0fda96eaaebd8799268a7506a8fc9 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.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 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
• 6.19.0
• 6.19.1
• 6.19.2
• 6.19.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Entryinfo

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