#VU124583 Use After Free in Linux kernel - CVE-2026-23281
Published: March 25, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU124583
Vulnerability risk: Low
CVSSv4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-23281
CWE-ID: CWE-416
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Linux kernel
Software vendor:
Linux Foundation
Linux Foundation
Description
The vulnerability allows a local user to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.
The vulnerability exists due to use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter() function in the Linux kernel's libertas Wi-Fi driver when handling timer cleanup during device adapter release. A local user can trigger the release of the adapter structure while timer callbacks are still executing, leading to access of freed memory and potential execution of arbitrary code or system crash.
Exploitation requires the ability to trigger device cleanup, which is typically available to users with access to network device interfaces.
Remediation
Install security update from vendor's repository.
External links
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/03cc8f90d0537fcd4985c3319b4fafbf2e3fb1f0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c5c818c78b03a1725f3dcd566865c77b48dd3a6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f9dec4a6d95d7f1f5e9e9dfdfa173c053bba8dc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a9f55b14486426d907459bced5825a25063bd922
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0155fe68f31b339961cf2d4f92937d57e9384e6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed7d30f90b77f73a47498686ede83f622b7e4f0d