Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 rtl8723bs rtw_sdio_if1_init memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.16+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as very critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. This affects the function rtw_sdio_if1_init of the component rtl8723bs. Such manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-98160. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 and classified as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function rtw_sdio_if1_init of the component rtl8723bs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: staging: rtl8723bs: fix mismatched free of HalData in rtw_sdio_if1_init() padapter->HalData is allocated via vzalloc(), but incorrectly freed using kfree() in the rtw_sdio_if1_init() error path. Using kfree() to release this vmalloc-backed buffer can lead to memory corruption. Use rtw_hal_data_deinit() to pair the free correctly and free HalData with vfree(). The bug was first flagged by an experimental static analysis tool we are developing for kernel memory-management bugs. Manual inspection confirms that the issue is still present in current mainline. An x86_64 allyesconfig build showed no new warnings. As we do not have suitable RTL8723BS SDIO hardware to test with, no runtime testing was able to be performed.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-98160 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 5.10.270, 5.15.221, 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ff6d1ba247b5c62bdb678f1069abc86ad88a1402/d6158333d630a1b21d8914feaf77a6f5deb185d9/6c017ab2b0e1b60b5be94636c94720347213d78b/4520d673d49dabfd42c008a33889251025f7d6d5/423574feaed192063ef0cd0813fb85425f39e539/737c928ff5092d7e55128a232c231248fc993777/911190f0b9511c3c81f2f2484414c1ae26f636b3/264676418b726baca7be49171e306b6aa05cceb0 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

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

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.270/5.15.221/6.1.188/6.6.157/6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1
Patch: ff6d1ba247b5c62bdb678f1069abc86ad88a1402/d6158333d630a1b21d8914feaf77a6f5deb185d9/6c017ab2b0e1b60b5be94636c94720347213d78b/4520d673d49dabfd42c008a33889251025f7d6d5/423574feaed192063ef0cd0813fb85425f39e539/737c928ff5092d7e55128a232c231248fc993777/911190f0b9511c3c81f2f2484414c1ae26f636b3/264676418b726baca7be49171e306b6aa05cceb0

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98160 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98160
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410198

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 15:35
Changes: 09/25/2026 15:35 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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