CVE-2026-97599
Received Received - Intake

ieee802154 hwsim double-free in pib update

Publication date: 2026-09-25

Last updated on: 2026-09-25

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ieee802154: hwsim: serialize pib updates to fix double-free hwsim_update_pib() does an unserialized read-swap-free of phy->pib: pib_old = rtnl_dereference(phy->pib); ... rcu_assign_pointer(phy->pib, pib); kfree_rcu(pib_old, rcu); It assumes the RTNL is held, but ->set_channel is not always called under it: the mac802154 scan worker changes channels via drv_set_channel() without the RTNL. Such an update can race an RTNL-held one on the same phy; both read the same pib_old and both kfree_rcu() it, double-freeing the object. With SLUB percpu sheaves batching kfree_rcu(), this surfaces as a KASAN invalid-free in rcu_free_sheaf(). struct hwsim_phy has no lock for pib. Add one and make the swap atomic with rcu_replace_pointer() under it, dropping the misleading rtnl_dereference().

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-25
Last Modified
2026-09-25
Generated
2026-09-25
AI Q&A
2026-09-25
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-97599
EUVD
EUVD-2026-86730

Affected Vendors & Products

Currently, no data is known.

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Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This is a double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ieee802154 hwsim module. It occurs when the hwsim_update_pib() function performs an unserialized read-swap-free operation on the physical layer's PIB (PAN Information Base) pointer. The issue arises because the RTNL lock is not always held when the channel is set, allowing a race condition where two operations read the same PIB pointer and attempt to free it twice, leading to a kernel memory corruption issue.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability may manifest as a KASAN invalid-free error in rcu_free_sheaf(). Monitor kernel logs for KASAN reports or crashes related to ieee802154 hwsim double-free issues.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can cause kernel memory corruption, leading to system crashes, data corruption, or potential privilege escalation. If exploited, it may result in denial-of-service conditions or allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the kernel context. Systems using the ieee802154 hwsim module are particularly at risk.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the Linux kernel patch that resolves this issue. If immediate patching is not possible, disable the ieee802154 hwsim module to prevent exploitation until patched.

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