Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 rtl8723bs rtw_aes_decrypt null pointer dereference

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.
7.2$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function rtw_aes_decrypt of the component rtl8723bs. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-72490. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4. Affected is the function rtw_aes_decrypt of the component rtl8723bs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: staging: rtl8723bs: fix stainfo check in rtw_aes_decrypt The null-pointer-guard was incorrect, returning _FAIL on valid pointer. Invert the guard, so it returns _FAIL on invalid pointer.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-72490 since 08/09/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch fde2296f87b72ccd72460ce13ad56e8652b321d4/9a3f9b3c47d8f071b0eb9e63906ac0448058278d is able to eliminate this problem.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: fde2296f87b72ccd72460ce13ad56e8652b321d4/9a3f9b3c47d8f071b0eb9e63906ac0448058278d

Timelineinfo

08/09/2026 CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-72490 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72490
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390996

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 16:52
Changes: 08/15/2026 16:52 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Do you want to use VulDB in your project?

Use the official API to access entries easily!