CVE-2026-98711 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel maintainers, administrators, and users of the cw1200 wifi driver should assess exposure and prioritize patching. The vulnerability can result in data exposure, and affected deployments require immediate attention. Verify patch deployment and test for vulnerability remediation to ensure the security of the system.

Why it matters

The Linux kernel's cw1200 wifi driver vulnerability allows a device to collect kernel heap data, requiring assessment and patching for exposed deployments.

• Data exposure: a device can collect up to 511 bytes of kernel heap data per TX frame.
• Verification priority: verify patch deployment and test for vulnerability remediation.

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's cw1200 wifi driver is vulnerable to a TX padding OOB read, leaking heap data to the device. The driver rounds up the transfer size to the bus alignment but sends the padded length straight from the frame buffer, which has no room reserved for the padding. This issue can result in data exposure and requires immediate attention from Linux kernel maintainers, administrators, and users of the cw1200 wifi driver. The vulnerability was discovered by Atuin - Automated Vulnerability Discovery Engine, and the source corpus includes references to the Linux kernel stable repository.

Defensive priority

Assess exposure and prioritize patching for Linux kernel deployments using the cw1200 wifi driver.

Recommended defensive actions

• Assess Linux kernel deployments for exposure to the cw1200 wifi driver vulnerability
• Prioritize patching for affected deployments
• Verify patch deployment and test for vulnerability remediation
• 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 discovered by Atuin - Automated Vulnerability Discovery Engine. The source corpus includes references to the Linux kernel stable repository. The issue arises from the TX path rounding up the transfer size to the bus alignment but sending the padded length straight from the frame buffer, which has no room reserved for the padding. This results in the device collecting up to 511 bytes of kernel heap data per TX frame.

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.