Kernel warning via incorrect IBSS scan assertion
Published Oct 14, 2026 · Updated Oct 14, 2026
Incorrect warning in Linux mac80211 allows context-dependent attackers to trigger a warning via channel-less IBSS scans. In net/mac80211/scan.c, ieee80211_request_ibss_scan() invokes WARN_ON_ONCE when a regulatory-domain change leaves an operating IBSS without permitted scan channels during its 60-second shutdown grace period. The default consequence is a warning; enabling panic_on_warn turns it into a kernel crash, while attacker control of the regulatory transition is not established.
Summary
What happened
Incorrect warning in Linux mac80211 allows context-dependent attackers to trigger a warning via channel-less IBSS scans. In net/mac80211/scan.c, ieee80211_request_ibss_scan() invokes WARN_ON_ONCE when a regulatory-domain change leaves an operating IBSS without permitted scan channels during its 60-second shutdown grace period. The default consequence is a warning; enabling panic_on_warn turns it into a kernel crash, while attacker control of the regulatory transition is not established.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-98425
- Published
- Oct 14, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 14, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- Unavailable
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 14, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=1cf18948040a40fa4497e40bcde2ffa8d6b1196e
- Affected versionversion=3.4.26 <3.5
- Affected versionversion=34bcf71502413f8903ade93746f2d0f04b937a78 <23d51c0bc18f21d957756ba4650520bb3bc726b2
- Affected versionversion=34bcf71502413f8903ade93746f2d0f04b937a78 <5f139e17f5bdba6b68177dd8afe13fa4549dfc5f
- Affected versionversion=34bcf71502413f8903ade93746f2d0f04b937a78 <a7491b7efbd9136b120a12ed72af9c12121dd134
- Affected versionversion=34bcf71502413f8903ade93746f2d0f04b937a78 <bb91c15953705445778c170a2523f12351c4d928
- Affected versionversion=3.7.3 <3.8
- Affected versionversion=3.8
- Affected versionversion=5ca99e71a9a6cf33a217690f5d87bc0129d1effd
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
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