One-byte kernel over-read via empty Wi-Fi element
Published Aug 10, 2026 · Updated Aug 10, 2026
Out-of-bounds read in Linux kernel cfg80211 allows physically proximate attackers to trigger a one-byte over-read via crafted Wi-Fi frames. cfg80211_is_element_inherited reads elem->data[0] from a zero-length extension element without first checking elem->datalen. Reachability requires a rogue or spoofed access point within radio range and an active non-inheritance context; public evidence demonstrates the sanitizer-detected read but not attacker-visible disclosure or interruption of an ordinary production kernel.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds read in Linux kernel cfg80211 allows physically proximate attackers to trigger a one-byte over-read via crafted Wi-Fi frames. cfg80211_is_element_inherited reads elem->data[0] from a zero-length extension element without first checking elem->datalen. Reachability requires a rogue or spoofed access point within radio range and an active non-inheritance context; public evidence demonstrates the sanitizer-detected read but not attacker-visible disclosure or interruption of an ordinary production kernel.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-68402
- Published
- Aug 10, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 10, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-125
- Attack vector
- adjacent
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 10, 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=5.2
- Affected versionversion=f7dacfb11475ba777e1e84ccec2e14b0ba5a17a3 <11ac7a5e75f5132f1778e0c60981d30dc29fb869
- Affected versionversion=f7dacfb11475ba777e1e84ccec2e14b0ba5a17a3 <20c308d9a57722801961f816395bf825f7bde6bc
- Affected versionversion=f7dacfb11475ba777e1e84ccec2e14b0ba5a17a3 <84bd907361c56fbd5523eceb2682cb39da059bd5
- Affected versionversion=f7dacfb11475ba777e1e84ccec2e14b0ba5a17a3 <cb8afea4655ff004fa7feee825d5c79783525383
- Affected versionversion=f7dacfb11475ba777e1e84ccec2e14b0ba5a17a3 <ddf2773bcc8e49a43c561f22ec1e7924215d7947
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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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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