CVE-2026-53102 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel users and administrators, as well as security teams and vulnerability management teams, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. Affected systems may require patching or other mitigations to prevent exploitation. Linux distributions and vendors should also be aware of this vulnerability and provide guidance to their users.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by a memory leak in the mt76_connac_mcu_alloc_sta_req() function. The function allocates an skb, which is expected to be freed by mt76_mcu_skb_send_msg(). However, if an intermediate function fails before sending, the allocated skb is leaked. This can lead to a memory leak, which can be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel, specifically the mt76 module, and can be triggered by a malformed request.

Defensive priority

Medium

Recommended defensive actions

• Apply the patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to fix the memory leak vulnerability.
• Ensure that the Linux kernel is updated to the latest version.
• Monitor the system for any suspicious activity.
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.

Evidence notes

The vulnerability was found using a prototype static analysis tool and code review. The CVE record was published on 2026-06-24T17:17:24.473Z and last modified on 2026-07-21T18:20:28.790Z. Linux kernel users should verify their systems for the mt76 module and check for any suspicious activity. The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel, specifically the mt76 module. Evidence limits suggest that further analysis may be required to fully understand the impact of this vulnerability.

Official resources