CVE-2026-74409

Kernel memory read via unchecked firmware index

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Out-of-bounds read in the Linux rtw89 Wi-Fi driver allows attackers to read kernel memory via a malformed firmware RX descriptor. rtw89_assoc_link_rcu_dereference() uses the firmware-supplied 8-bit mac_id as an index into a 128-entry assoc_link_on_macid[] array without rejecting values above 127. An rtw89 device receiving attacker-controlled firmware is required; Red Hat identifies memory corruption or a system crash as the bounded outcomes.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.24%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds read in the Linux rtw89 Wi-Fi driver allows attackers to read kernel memory via a malformed firmware RX descriptor. rtw89_assoc_link_rcu_dereference() uses the firmware-supplied 8-bit mac_id as an index into a 128-entry assoc_link_on_macid[] array without rejecting values above 127. An rtw89 device receiving attacker-controlled firmware is required; Red Hat identifies memory corruption or a system crash as the bounded outcomes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-74409
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-125
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 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=144c6cd24b3556e6e7a14271cee57a42ebf97450 <6d88244bb129755acca696f9227200f4a2d106a6
  2. Affected versionversion=144c6cd24b3556e6e7a14271cee57a42ebf97450 <920101305e7601a33b9e01019f4ca526af2526ae
  3. Affected versionversion=144c6cd24b3556e6e7a14271cee57a42ebf97450 <ad445de67359f24088d4305c05fbd7e34c4e35e3
  4. Affected versionversion=6.14

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=144c6cd24b3556e6e7a14271cee57a42ebf97450 <6d88244bb129755acca696f9227200f4a2d106a6; version=144c6cd24b3556e6e7a14271cee57a42ebf97450 <920101305e7601a33b9e01019f4ca526af2526ae; version=144c6cd24b3556e6e7a14271cee57a42ebf97450 <ad445de67359f24088d4305c05fbd7e34c4e35e3; version=6.14

Published CVSS scores

5.5Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
8.8Canonical UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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