CVE-2023-54300

Linux Kernel - Uninit Memory Reference in ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: avoid referencing uninit memory in ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx For the reasons also described in commit b383e8abed41 ("wifi: ath9k: avoid uninit memory read in ath9k_htc_rx_msg()"), ath9k_htc_rx_msg() should validate pkt_len before accessing the SKB. For example, the obtained SKB may have been badly constructed with pkt_len = 8. In this case, the SKB can only contain a valid htc_frame_hdr but after being processed in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() and passed to ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx() endpoint RX handler, it is expected to have a WMI command header which should be located inside its data payload. Implement sanity checking inside ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx(). Otherwise, uninit memory can be referenced. Tested on Qualcomm Atheros Communications AR9271 802.11n . Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.

Scores

EPSS 0.0020
EPSS Percentile 10.5%

Details

Status published
Products (28)
linux/Kernel 2.6.35 - 4.14.322linux
linux/Kernel 4.15.0 - 4.19.291linux
linux/Kernel 4.20.0 - 5.4.251linux
linux/Kernel 5.11.0 - 5.15.121linux
linux/Kernel 5.16.0 - 6.1.39linux
linux/Kernel 5.5.0 - 5.10.188linux
linux/Kernel 6.2.0 - 6.3.13linux
linux/Kernel 6.4.0 - 6.4.4linux
Linux/Linux < 2.6.35
Linux/Linux 2.6.35
... and 18 more
Published Dec 30, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026