CVE-2023-52798

Kernel compromise via missing DFS event RCU lock

Published May 21, 2024 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

A use-after-free in the ath11k driver in Linux 5.6 through 6.6.2 allows physically proximate attackers to corrupt kernel memory via DFS radar events. The ath11k_wmi_pdev_dfs_radar_detected_event handler obtains an RCU-protected pdev with ath11k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id() without entering a read-side critical section, allowing teardown to free the object before ieee80211_radar_detected() uses it. Reachability requires RF proximity to a system using a Qualcomm ath11k radio as an access point on a 5 GHz DFS channel; exploitation can disclose or alter kernel memory or panic the host.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.02%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A use-after-free in the ath11k driver in Linux 5.6 through 6.6.2 allows physically proximate attackers to corrupt kernel memory via DFS radar events. The ath11k_wmi_pdev_dfs_radar_detected_event handler obtains an RCU-protected pdev with ath11k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id() without entering a read-side critical section, allowing teardown to free the object before ieee80211_radar_detected() uses it. Reachability requires RF proximity to a system using a Qualcomm ath11k radio as an access point on a 5 GHz DFS channel; exploitation can disclose or alter kernel memory or panic the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-52798
Published
May 21, 2024
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416, T1499
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 21, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.6
  2. Affected versionversion=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <1fd878e1750190a612b5de2af357cca422ec0822
  3. Affected versionversion=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <21ebb0aba580d347e12f01ce5f6e75044427b3d5
  4. Affected versionversion=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <3b6c14833165f689cc5928574ebafe52bbce5f1e
  5. Affected versionversion=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <426e718ce9ba60013364a54233feee309356cb82
  6. Affected versionversion=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <ca420ac4f9451f22347bae44b18ab47ba2c267ec
  7. Affected versionversion=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <f882f51905517575c9f793a3dff567af90ef9a10

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.6; version=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <1fd878e1750190a612b5de2af357cca422ec0822; version=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <21ebb0aba580d347e12f01ce5f6e75044427b3d5; version=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <3b6c14833165f689cc5928574ebafe52bbce5f1e; version=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <426e718ce9ba60013364a54233feee309356cb82; version=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <ca420ac4f9451f22347bae44b18ab47ba2c267ec; version=d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d <f882f51905517575c9f793a3dff567af90ef9a10

Published CVSS scores

8.8Linux CNACVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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