Kernel-memory leak via omitted TLV error-path cleanup
Published Sep 17, 2026 · Updated Sep 17, 2026
Linux's ath11k Wi-Fi driver allows attackers to consume kernel memory via a parsing failure in a service-ready TLV event. In ath11k_service_ready_ext_event(), the error path fails to free svc_rdy_ext.mac_phy_caps after allocation succeeds but a later TLV fails parsing. Exposure requires an ath11k-equipped system reaching that error path; public evidence does not explain attacker control of the event or demonstrate a hang or crash.
Summary
What happened
Linux's ath11k Wi-Fi driver allows attackers to consume kernel memory via a parsing failure in a service-ready TLV event. In ath11k_service_ready_ext_event(), the error path fails to free svc_rdy_ext.mac_phy_caps after allocation succeeds but a later TLV fails parsing. Exposure requires an ath11k-equipped system reaching that error path; public evidence does not explain attacker control of the event or demonstrate a hang or crash.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-90361
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 17, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-772
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 17, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 17, 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=5.6
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <0293be2212d319d59589082461abf2a9b626cd1c
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <047a817147806140cdef5fa25d69d7b7a24f905c
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <10ccd92825504c029390874c6fb84c62d9f263f9
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <1296cae53052881ddd571a9d4f467a16ebfb7f14
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <35cb3086b426b3468cfc32d0d8d9883409705ea9
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <7dbf0bc50cf3ddd039becd875691bb7f484fa004
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <854eb9053a793b73c4e8082e1923735a80c77bcd
- Affected versionversion=5b90fc760db5a969ed26d70f8e62c91915f012bd <f5bb3471c9f46c6cabc06a152c13fc518330913e
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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