CVE-2026-98159 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel users with mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations should assess exposure and verify firmware updates. Operators of Linux kernel deployments using mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations should review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance. Security teams should plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-98159 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's wifi mt76 mt7921 driver related to CLC firmware records validation. Linux kernel users with specific wifi configurations should assess exposure and verify firmware updates.

• Verify firmware updates to ensure CLC records are validated
• Assess exposure in Linux kernel deployments using mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's wifi mt76 mt7921 driver has a vulnerability related to CLC firmware records validation. The vulnerability has been resolved with specific commits. The CLC region is supplied by firmware, but the loader trusts the region count and each record length. A malformed image can make the region table pointer precede the firmware buffer, make the record loop fail to advance, or index phy->clc past its end. Validate the table and record bounds before dereferencing or copying. Linux kernel users with mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations should assess exposure and verify firmware updates.

Defensive priority

Assess exposure in Linux kernel deployments using mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations; verify firmware updates and validate CLC records.

Recommended defensive actions

• Assess exposure in Linux kernel deployments using mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations
• Verify firmware updates and validate CLC records
• Monitor Linux kernel security advisories for further information
• 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 CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability. However, additional information on affected versions and exploitation is limited. Linux kernel users should verify firmware updates to ensure CLC records are validated and assess exposure in Linux kernel deployments using mt76 mt7921 wifi configurations. The vulnerability has been resolved with specific commits.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.