Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4/7.2-rc3 brcmfmac brcmf_notify_auth_frame_rx datalen heap-based overflow

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | $5k-$25k | 0.47 |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4/7.2-rc3. This affects the function brcmf_notify_auth_frame_rx of the component brcmfmac. This manipulation of the argument datalen causes heap-based overflow.
This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-72003. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit.
Details
A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4/7.2-rc3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function brcmf_notify_auth_frame_rx of the component brcmfmac. The manipulation of the argument datalen with an unknown input leads to a heap-based overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-122. A heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc(). 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: brcmfmac: cyw: fix heap overflow on a short auth frame brcmf_notify_auth_frame_rx() takes the frame length from the firmware event and copies the frame body with the management header offset subtracted: u32 mgmt_frame_len = e->datalen - sizeof(struct brcmf_rx_mgmt_data); ... memcpy(&mgmt_frame->u, frame, mgmt_frame_len - offsetof(struct ieee80211_mgmt, u)); The only length check is e->datalen >= sizeof(*rxframe), so mgmt_frame_len can be anything from 0 up. offsetof(struct ieee80211_mgmt, u) is 24. When mgmt_frame_len is below that, the subtraction wraps as an unsigned value to a huge length. The memcpy then runs far past the kzalloc'd buffer. A malicious or malfunctioning AP can make the frame short during the external SAE auth exchange, so this is a remotely triggered heap overflow. Reject frames shorter than the management header offset before the copy.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-72003 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).
Upgrading to version 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 55b26abb1fa1ec406b3ad11b43c49c7624257565/185bb156c427d0f865d344a6d0eaa02c6d05cc57/240c8d2c717b3f8153e7e877b22a82518d78dbdc is able to eliminate this problem.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
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
- 6.18.14
- 6.18.15
- 6.18.16
- 6.18.17
- 6.18.18
- 6.18.19
- 6.18.20
- 6.18.21
- 6.18.22
- 6.18.23
- 6.18.24
- 6.18.25
- 6.18.26
- 6.18.27
- 6.18.28
- 6.18.29
- 6.18.30
- 6.18.31
- 6.18.32
- 6.18.33
- 6.18.34
- 6.18.35
- 6.18.36
- 6.18.37
- 6.18.38
- 6.18.39
- 7.1.0
- 7.1.1
- 7.1.2
- 7.1.3
- 7.1.4
- 7.2-rc1
- 7.2-rc2
- 7.2-rc3
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Heap-based overflowCWE: CWE-122 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc4
Patch: 55b26abb1fa1ec406b3ad11b43c49c7624257565/185bb156c427d0f865d344a6d0eaa02c6d05cc57/240c8d2c717b3f8153e7e877b22a82518d78dbdc
Timeline
08/09/2026 CVE reserved08/15/2026 Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-72003 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72003
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390403
Entry
Created: 08/15/2026 10:58Changes: 08/15/2026 10:58 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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