Kernel-memory disclosure via premature WMM IE access
Published May 8, 2026 · Updated May 8, 2026
An out-of-bounds read in the Linux Kernel rtl8723bs driver allows local users to disclose kernel memory through a crafted WMM IE. The rtw_restruct_wmm_ie function reads the sixth byte of a WMM element before confirming that the input length covers that byte, so a truncated element is accessed past its buffer. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access and the rtl8723bs driver; the read can disclose kernel data or interrupt the system.
Summary
What happened
An out-of-bounds read in the Linux Kernel rtl8723bs driver allows local users to disclose kernel memory through a crafted WMM IE. The rtw_restruct_wmm_ie function reads the sixth byte of a WMM element before confirming that the input length covers that byte, so a truncated element is accessed past its buffer. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access and the rtl8723bs driver; the read can disclose kernel data or interrupt the system.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-43386
- Published
- May 8, 2026
- Updated
- May 8, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- CWE-125
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 8, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 8, 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.
- Affected versionversion=4.12
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <12cc6e8f8d4245b7b5a408c6fc8ab1d098d67020
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <209644e25757c499e1c1f08c071ea0386d4448b6
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <4dd2d9cf563c54e09d5f7eacf95c5b8f538b513b
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <6ff2243d5e05a5239e39d4ba61d96b0ea3bf7259
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <768f25613a9fe6766d15a4a72979657adfc1c6d8
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <a75281626fc8fa6dc6c9cc314ee423e8bc45203b
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <d97fc1b29513010b60fde874c7f0ba816744e18c
- Affected versionversion=554c0a3abf216c991c5ebddcdb2c08689ecd290b <e14a1148f02e8cf1ca380d57e4b95ca36c97f45d
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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