Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3 mac80211_hwsim started toctou

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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3.3$0-$5k1.71-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. This affects an unknown part of the component mac80211_hwsim. Performing a manipulation of the argument started results in toctou. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-98423. The attack needs to be approached locally. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc3. It has been classified as problematic. This affects some unknown functionality of the component mac80211_hwsim. The manipulation of the argument started with an unknown input leads to a toctou vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-367. The product checks the state of a resource before using that resource, but the resource's state can change between the check and the use in a way that invalidates the results of the check. This can cause the product to perform invalid actions when the resource is in an unexpected state. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211_hwsim: don't hand frames to mac80211 while stopping The code checks ->started for frames coming from wmediumd, but the radio can be stopped after the check and before frame delivery, causing mac80211 to hit the WARN_ON(!local->started). Expand the mutex for this case and synchronise against it when the radio is stopped to avoid being able to hit the warning with hwsim. Drop the error print that would've complicated the error path, it only triggers for allocation failures (already noisy) and malformed frames anyway.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-98423 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Additional levels of successful authentication are necessary for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

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 5ce9b2bc9e73213e316a8c72400256a76bf41814/c4e4fe330294e3936e0f4e15d6996468f8a45fb2/2f59be7585dc81baa6f36b0035dd6848ea43d318/5c79ef616aa16af582fb2cb93b0f750975a0004f/d7fa45d8123a7f794b93fc22dbcf19f38dc4d8cb/87840d4a3a21b1c19b867a80e16ba69dff284de2 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 3.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 3.3

VulDB Base Score: 3.4
VulDB Temp Score: 3.3
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: Toctou
CWE: CWE-367 / CWE-362
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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: 5ce9b2bc9e73213e316a8c72400256a76bf41814/c4e4fe330294e3936e0f4e15d6996468f8a45fb2/2f59be7585dc81baa6f36b0035dd6848ea43d318/5c79ef616aa16af582fb2cb93b0f750975a0004f/d7fa45d8123a7f794b93fc22dbcf19f38dc4d8cb/87840d4a3a21b1c19b867a80e16ba69dff284de2

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-2026-98423 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98423
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-419883

Entryinfo

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

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