Out-of-bounds read in Linux kernel ath9k WMI response handling
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 7 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel from 2.6.35 is affected by a flaw in the ath9k wireless driver's WMI command handling. The driver copies the number of bytes a waiting command expects from a device response without checking that the response is long enough, so a short response can be read beyond the skb payload. The fix records -EMSGSIZE for short responses and returns that status to the command path.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: reject short WMI command responses ath9k_wmi_rsp_callback() removes the validated WMI header and copies the number of bytes expected by the waiting command into its response buffer. A device response shorter than that expectation can therefore be read beyond the skb payload. Record -EMSGSIZE for a short response, complete the waiter, and return the stored status from the command path. This also prevents callers from consuming stale response bytes as a successful reply.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
Remediation
Upgrade the Linux kernel to 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 or 7.3, depending on the stable branch in use. Red Hat lists no fix planned for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 and no fix available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9, 10, OpenShift Container Platform 4 and OpenShift Container Platform 5.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10, 7.3
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Timeline
- 2026-10-18 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98828
- 2026-10-18 Alias added: GHSA-hwh7-fwf3-88qj
- 2026-10-19 Fix available: Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-24 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-24 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-11-06 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
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Sources
- CVE-2026-98828 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98828 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-hwh7-fwf3-88qj · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98828 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences