CVE-2026-46187
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Race Condition in Linux Kernel RSI Driver

Publication date: 2026-05-28

Last updated on: 2026-06-11

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rsi: fix kthread lifetime race between self-exit and external-stop RSI driver use both self-exit(kthread_complete_and_exit) and external-stop (kthread_stop) when killing a kthread. Generally, kthread_stop() is called first, and in this case, no particular issues occur. However, in rare instances where kthread_complete_and_exit() is called first and then kthread_stop() is called, a UAF occurs because the kthread object, which has already exited and been freed, is accessed again. Therefore, to prevent this with minimal modification, you must remove kthread_stop() and change the code to wait until the self-exit operation is completed.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-05-28
Last Modified
2026-06-11
Generated
2026-06-17
AI Q&A
2026-05-28
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-16
NVD
CVE-2026-46187
EUVD
EUVD-2026-32814
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 13 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 3.18.139 (inc) to 3.19 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.4.179 (inc) to 4.5 (exc)
linux linux_kernel 7.1
linux linux_kernel 7.1
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.30 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.175 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.209 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.0.7 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.88 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.140 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.14.113 (inc) to 4.15 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.19.36 (inc) to 5.10.258 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.9.170 (inc) to 4.10 (exc)
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-362 The product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's RSI wifi driver related to the management of kernel threads (kthreads). The driver uses two methods to stop a kthread: self-exit (kthread_complete_and_exit) and external-stop (kthread_stop). Normally, kthread_stop() is called first, which causes no issues. However, in rare cases where the self-exit method is called first and then kthread_stop() is called, a use-after-free (UAF) occurs. This happens because the kthread object has already exited and been freed, but kthread_stop() tries to access it again, leading to a race condition and potential memory corruption.

Impact Analysis

The use-after-free vulnerability can lead to undefined behavior such as memory corruption, system instability, or crashes in the Linux kernel's wifi driver. This could potentially be exploited by an attacker to cause denial of service or escalate privileges by manipulating kernel memory, impacting the reliability and security of systems using the affected driver.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, the code should be modified to remove the use of kthread_stop() and instead wait until the self-exit operation (kthread_complete_and_exit) is completed. This prevents the use-after-free condition caused by accessing a kthread object that has already exited and been freed.

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