CVE-2026-100076
Undergoing Analysis Undergoing Analysis - In Progress

Memory Leak in Linux Kernel RTL8723BS Driver

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-100076, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-09-25

Last updated on: 2026-10-02

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: staging: rtl8723bs: fix xmit_frame/xmit_buf leaks on mgnt-frame error paths issue_beacon(), issue_probersp() and issue_asocrsp() obtain a management xmit_frame together with its xmit_buf from the driver's fixed-size management-TX pools via alloc_mgtxmitframe(). On the normal path the frame is handed to dump_mgntframe(), which transfers ownership and eventually returns both objects to their pools (the frame and, for beacons, the buf in rtl8723bs_mgnt_xmit(); other bufs via the pending-xmitbuf/TX-completion path). Several error/edge paths return early after a successful alloc_mgtxmitframe() but before dump_mgntframe(), so ownership is never transferred and neither object is freed: - issue_beacon(): beacon larger than 512 bytes - issue_probersp(): cur_network->ie_length > MAX_IE_SZ - issue_probersp(): kzalloc() of the SSID scratch buffer fails - issue_asocrsp(): pkt_type is neither ASSOCRSP nor REASSOCRSP Because alloc_mgtxmitframe() removes the frame and buf from their free lists (list_del_init) without placing them on any pending list, an orphaned pair is on no list and referenced by nobody, so it is only reclaimed at driver teardown. Repeated hits progressively exhaust the management-TX pools until alloc_mgtxmitframe() returns NULL and the interface can no longer send beacons or probe/assoc responses. Free the frame and buffer on these paths, matching the existing correct error handling in issue_assocreq().

CVSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-25
Last Modified
2026-10-02
Generated
2026-10-16
AI Q&A
2026-09-25
EPSS Evaluated
2026-10-14
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 2 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.2.6 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.12 (inc) to 6.18.52 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-401 The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.

Attack-Flow Graph

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Executive Summary

This is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's staging driver for RTL8723BS WiFi chips. It occurs when management frames (beacons, probe responses, association responses) fail to be transmitted due to size or allocation errors. The driver allocates memory for these frames but fails to free it when errors occur, causing the memory pools to eventually exhaust and prevent further transmissions.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's rtl8723bs driver and may not have direct detection commands. Monitor for network interface failures, beacon transmission issues, or probe/association response timeouts. Check kernel logs for errors related to the rtl8723bs driver or management frame handling.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this could cause system instability by depleting memory resources over time. It may lead to WiFi disconnections or inability to connect to networks as the management frame pools become exhausted. Repeated exploitation could crash the system or require a reboot to restore functionality.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability does not directly affect compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA as it pertains to memory leaks in the Linux kernel's rtl8723bs driver. Compliance impacts would depend on specific system configurations and data handling practices, not the described issue.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the Linux kernel to a patched version that includes the fix for this vulnerability. If using a custom or older kernel, apply the patch manually. Monitor system logs for signs of pool exhaustion or frame leaks in the rtl8723bs driver.

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