Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

wifi: cfg80211: cancel rfkill_block work in wiphy_unregister()

There is a use-after-free error in cfg80211_shutdown_all_interfaces found
by syzkaller:

BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in cfg80211_shutdown_all_interfaces+0x213/0x220
Read of size 8 at addr ffff888112a78d98 by task kworker/0:5/5326
CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 5326 Comm: kworker/0:5 Not tainted 6.19.0-rc2 #2 PREEMPT(voluntary)
Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 1.15.0-1 04/01/2014
Workqueue: events cfg80211_rfkill_block_work
Call Trace:
<TASK>
dump_stack_lvl+0x116/0x1f0
print_report+0xcd/0x630
kasan_report+0xe0/0x110
cfg80211_shutdown_all_interfaces+0x213/0x220
cfg80211_rfkill_block_work+0x1e/0x30
process_one_work+0x9cf/0x1b70
worker_thread+0x6c8/0xf10
kthread+0x3c5/0x780
ret_from_fork+0x56d/0x700
ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30
</TASK>

The problem arises due to the rfkill_block work is not cancelled when wiphy
is being unregistered. In order to fix the issue cancel the corresponding
work in wiphy_unregister().

Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.
Published: 2026-03-25
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Memory corruption leading to potential code execution
Action: Patch Now
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability is a use‑after‑free error in the Linux kernel’s Wi‑Fi subsystem (cfg80211). During interface shutdown, the rfkill_block work item is not canceled when the wireless hardware is unregistered, allowing a kernel thread to read memory that has already been freed. This flaw can potentially be exploited to gain code execution with kernel privileges or to crash the system, leading to loss of availability. The weakness is classified as both CWE‑416 and CWE‑825. Based on the description, the likely attack vector is local or privileged access that triggers the rfkill workqueue during interface shutdown.

Affected Systems

Affected systems are all Linux kernel distributions that have not applied the patch that cancels the rfkill_block work in wiphy_unregister(). The description references kernel 6.19.0‑rc2, indicating that recent kernel releases before the patch are vulnerable. Any device running an unpatched Linux kernel—whether a workstation, server, or embedded system with Wi‑Fi capabilities—is potentially impacted. Based on the description, the vulnerability likely applies to all kernels from 6.19.x through the first patched release.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high impact vulnerability. The EPSS score is below 1 %, suggesting a low probability of active exploitation in the wild. The vulnerability is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Attackers would need local or privileged access to the affected system, or improperly secure Wi‑Fi configuration that could trigger the faulty workqueue. Based on the description, the likely attack vector is local or privileged access that triggers the rfkill workqueue during interface shutdown. Because the flaw can lead to kernel panic or code execution, it should be considered a critical patching priority.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 22:05 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest Linux kernel patch that cancels the rfkill_block work in wiphy_unregister().
  • Reboot the system to load the updated kernel.
  • Verify that no KASAN use‑after‑free messages appear in kernel logs.
  • If an immediate update is not available, temporarily disable Wi‑Fi interfaces or unload the cfg80211 module until the patch is applied.
  • Consider enabling kernel lockdown or other hardening measures to reduce the impact scope.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 28, 2026 at 22:05 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4561-1 linux-6.1 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6238-1 linux security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6243-1 linux security update
History

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.31:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.0:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:*

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:15:00 +0000


Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-825
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: cfg80211: cancel rfkill_block work in wiphy_unregister() There is a use-after-free error in cfg80211_shutdown_all_interfaces found by syzkaller: BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in cfg80211_shutdown_all_interfaces+0x213/0x220 Read of size 8 at addr ffff888112a78d98 by task kworker/0:5/5326 CPU: 0 UID: 0 PID: 5326 Comm: kworker/0:5 Not tainted 6.19.0-rc2 #2 PREEMPT(voluntary) Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 1.15.0-1 04/01/2014 Workqueue: events cfg80211_rfkill_block_work Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x116/0x1f0 print_report+0xcd/0x630 kasan_report+0xe0/0x110 cfg80211_shutdown_all_interfaces+0x213/0x220 cfg80211_rfkill_block_work+0x1e/0x30 process_one_work+0x9cf/0x1b70 worker_thread+0x6c8/0xf10 kthread+0x3c5/0x780 ret_from_fork+0x56d/0x700 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 </TASK> The problem arises due to the rfkill_block work is not cancelled when wiphy is being unregistered. In order to fix the issue cancel the corresponding work in wiphy_unregister(). Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.
Title wifi: cfg80211: cancel rfkill_block work in wiphy_unregister()
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-18T08:58:01.292Z

Reserved: 2026-01-13T15:37:45.997Z

Link: CVE-2026-23336

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-03-25T11:16:31.210

Modified: 2026-04-23T21:12:52.803

Link: CVE-2026-23336

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-03-25T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-23336 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-28T22:15:41Z

Weaknesses