Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3 mac80211 ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. Affected is the function ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet of the component mac80211. This manipulation causes input validation. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-98421. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet of the component mac80211. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: require a peer station for TDLS setup confirm It's nonsense for the setup confirm to go to station that doesn't even exist, and it hits a warning when building the frame: WARN_ON_ONCE(!sta || !ap_sta) Only accept WLAN_TDLS_SETUP_CONFIRM when the station is already there as a TDLS station. Need to copy the call to ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet() since the existing WLAN_TDLS_DISCOVERY_REQUEST already falls through to it.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98421 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. 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 10/14/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 6bae6ef511a29ef12ab969adeea691067d4d5d74/d0afa5395c46d73ad2090aa50209886e84f179bd/742c762bee59c973684f70dfed7de4945d3141e2/fce36d242a18ddf64731d816a37564103172da11/1c0a5c96473b9e7a5f4c453ef6a13dc0f5589a4b/038e1d126304fd25d507fd4e671232df57bd1799 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: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
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 6.1.189/6.6.158/6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: 6bae6ef511a29ef12ab969adeea691067d4d5d74/d0afa5395c46d73ad2090aa50209886e84f179bd/742c762bee59c973684f70dfed7de4945d3141e2/fce36d242a18ddf64731d816a37564103172da11/1c0a5c96473b9e7a5f4c453ef6a13dc0f5589a4b/038e1d126304fd25d507fd4e671232df57bd1799

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/14/2026 +19 days Advisory disclosed
10/14/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/14/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98421 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98421
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-419869

Entryinfo

Created: 10/14/2026 16:08
Changes: 10/14/2026 16:08 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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