Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3 mac80211 ath_tx_node_init null pointer dereference

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CTI Interest Score
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4.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3. This affects the function ath_tx_node_init of the component mac80211. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98182. Local access is required to approach this attack. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3. Affected by this issue is the function ath_tx_node_init of the component mac80211. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: refuse to make a monitor active when it has no queue A monitor interface only gets a TXQ if it's created active, and one can't be added later. Setting the flag on a down interface is still allowed, so the driver is handed a monitor with no queue. ath9k dereferences it: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000066 RIP: 0010:ath_tx_node_init+0x49/0x170 [ath9k] ath9k_add_interface+0x10c/0x140 [ath9k] drv_add_interface+0x54/0x250 [mac80211] ieee80211_do_open+0x32f/0x800 [mac80211] Reached with CAP_NET_ADMIN by "iw dev X set monitor active" followed by "ip link set X up". RTNL is held, so netlink operations block behind it. Refuse the flag when there is no queue to give.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-98182 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b7b7d46ec4fa127767931938b282c361c0519af6/abe15e643e576459469867758ae9c586a7bab95d/46c223468537a05a404699771cd3e68532dab5e6/2b04d6556964ae9f89819b86a0a7801e39c3aae5 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-3743). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.2

VulDB Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

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 6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: b7b7d46ec4fa127767931938b282c361c0519af6/abe15e643e576459469867758ae9c586a7bab95d/46c223468537a05a404699771cd3e68532dab5e6/2b04d6556964ae9f89819b86a0a7801e39c3aae5

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/06/2026 +11 days Advisory disclosed
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/07/2026 +1 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CNA: Linux
CVE: CVE-2026-98182 (🔒)

GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98182
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414092
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-3743 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/06/2026 12:41
Updated: 10/07/2026 02:33
Changes: 10/06/2026 12:41 (59), 10/07/2026 02:33 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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