CVE-2026-74488 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel developers and maintainers, mwifiex driver users, and organizations using Linux-based systems with mwifiex drivers should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate potential risks. This includes reviewing and applying patches, ensuring firmware supports TDLS, and monitoring for unusual activity related to TDLS frames in the network. Additionally, consider implementing compensating controls to detect and prevent potential exploitation. The vulnerability has a high impact on affected systems, and prompt action is recommended to prevent potential exploitation. Users of Linux-based systems with mwifiex drivers should review their configurations and ensure that they are not exposed to this vulnerability. Security teams should also be aware of this issue and monitor for any signs of exploitation. The vulnerability is related to the Linux kernel and involves improper handling of A-MSDU TDLS frames in the mwifiex driver, which could potentially lead to use-after-free and buffer over-read issues. Linux kernel developers and maintainers should review the provided patches and apply them to prevent potential exploitation. Mwifiex driver users should also review their configurations and ensure that they are not exposed to this vulnerability. Organizations using Linux-based systems with mwifiex drivers should be aware of this issue and take necessary actions to mitigate potential risks. The vulnerability can be mitigated by reviewing and applying patches, ensuring firmware supports TDLS, and monitoring for unusual activity related to TDLS frames in the network. Compensating controls can also be implemented to detect and prevent potential exploitation. The vulnerability has a high impact on affected systems, and prompt action is recommended to prevent potential exploitation. Linux kernel developers, mwifiex driver users, and organizations using Linux-based systems with mwifiex drivers should work together to mitigate potential risks and prevent exploitation. The vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in the mwifiex driver when parsing A-MSDU TDLS frames, and it can be mitigated by reviewing and applying patches, ensuring firmware The

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by passing the wrong length to mwifiex_process_tdls_action_frame() when parsing A-MSDU TDLS frames. The length of the A-MSDU parent (skb->len) is used instead of the length of the subframe (rx_skb->len). This can lead to use-after-free and buffer over-read issues. The callee cannot absorb a wrong length, because it derives its own ceiling from the value it is given. Each frame type computes ies_len = len - sizeof(struct ethhdr) - TDLS_*_FIX_LEN; and the element walk is then bounded entirely against that ceiling.

Defensive priority

This vulnerability is related to the Linux kernel and involves improper handling of A-MSDU TDLS frames in the mwifiex driver, which could potentially lead to use-after-free and buffer over-read issues.

Recommended defensive actions

• Review and apply the provided patches to the Linux kernel mwifiex driver.
• Ensure that the firmware supports TDLS and that the TDLS ethertype is properly handled.
• Monitor for any unusual activity related to TDLS frames in the network.
• Consider implementing additional compensating controls to detect and prevent potential exploitation.
• Perform an asset inventory to identify potentially affected systems.
• Review and adjust rollback/change windows as necessary to apply patches.
• Track and verify the source of TDLS frame activity for potential security incidents.

Evidence notes

The vulnerability is caused by passing the wrong length to mwifiex_process_tdls_action_frame() when parsing A-MSDU TDLS frames. The length of the A-MSDU parent (skb->len) is used instead of the length of the subframe (rx_skb->len). This can lead to use-after-free and buffer over-read issues.

Official resources