CVE-2026-68404
Received Received - Intake

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel WiFi Subsystem

Publication date: 2026-08-10

Last updated on: 2026-08-10

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: cfg80211: use wiphy work for socket owner autodisconnect nl80211_netlink_notify() walks the cfg80211 wireless device list when a NETLINK_GENERIC socket is released. If the socket owns a connection, the notifier queues the embedded wdev->disconnect_wk work item. That work is a plain work_struct today. NETDEV_GOING_DOWN cancels it, but a NETLINK_URELEASE notifier that already observed conn_owner_nlportid can queue it after that cancel returns. _cfg80211_unregister_wdev() then removes the wdev from the list and waits for RCU readers, but synchronize_net() does not drain work queued by such a reader. Make the autodisconnect work a wiphy_work instead. The callback already needs the wiphy mutex, and wiphy_work runs under that mutex. This lets teardown cancel pending autodisconnect work while holding the mutex, without a cancel_work_sync() vs. worker locking concern. Also cancel the wiphy work after list_del_rcu() and synchronize_net(). Any NETLINK_URELEASE notifier that had already reached the wdev list has then either queued the work and it is removed, or can no longer find the wdev.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-10
Last Modified
2026-08-10
Generated
2026-08-10
AI Q&A
2026-08-10
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-68404
EUVD
EUVD-2026-55590

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *

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Exploitability

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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a race condition in the wireless device management system. When a network socket is released, the system attempts to disconnect associated Wi-Fi devices. However, improper synchronization between socket release and device teardown can lead to a use-after-free scenario where cleanup operations fail to properly cancel pending disconnection tasks.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's wifi subsystem and does not have direct detection commands. It requires kernel patching or updating to the fixed version. Check your kernel version with 'uname -r' and compare against patched releases.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause system instability or crashes by triggering the race condition. It may lead to memory corruption or denial-of-service conditions affecting Wi-Fi functionality on affected Linux systems.

Mitigation Strategies

Update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that includes the fix for CVE-2026-68404. Monitor vendor advisories for kernel updates and apply them promptly. No temporary workarounds are suggested beyond patching.

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