CVE-2026-23279 | Linux Kernel up to 7.0-rc1 mac80211 mesh_rx_csa_frame null pointer dereference

VDB-353004 · CVE-2026-23279 · GCVE-0-2026-23279 LINUX KERNEL UP TO 7.0-RC1 MAC80211 MESH_RX_CSA_FRAME NULL POINTER DEREFERENCE HISTORYDIFFRELATEJSONXMLCTI CVSS Meta Temp Score Current Exploit Price (≈) CTI Interest Score 7.2 $0-$5k 3.20+ Summaryinfo A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 7.0-rc1. This vulnerability affects the function mesh_rx_csa_frame of the component mac80211. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-23279. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component. Detailsinfo A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.0-rc1. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function mesh_rx_csa_frame of the component mac80211. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: fix NULL pointer dereference in mesh_rx_csa_frame() In mesh_rx_csa_frame(), elems->mesh_chansw_params_ie is dereferenced at lines 1638 and 1642 without a prior NULL check: ifmsh->chsw_ttl = elems->mesh_chansw_params_ie->mesh_ttl; ... pre_value = le16_to_cpu(elems->mesh_chansw_params_ie->mesh_pre_value); The mesh_matches_local() check above only validates the Mesh ID, Mesh Configuration, and Supported Rates IEs. It does not verify the presence of the Mesh Channel Switch Parameters IE (element ID 118). When a received CSA action frame omits that IE, ieee802_11_parse_elems() leaves elems->mesh_chansw_params_ie as NULL, and the unconditional dereference causes a kernel NULL pointer dereference. A remote mesh peer with an established peer link (PLINK_ESTAB) can trigger this by sending a crafted SPECTRUM_MGMT/CHL_SWITCH action frame that includes a matching Mesh ID and Mesh Configuration IE but omits the Mesh Channel Switch Parameters IE. No authentication beyond the default open mesh peering is required. Crash confirmed on kernel 6.17.0-5-generic via mac80211_hwsim: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000 Oops: Oops: 0000 [#1] SMP NOPTI RIP: 0010:ieee80211_mesh_rx_queued_mgmt+0x143/0x2a0 [mac80211] CR2: 0000000000000000 Fix by adding a NULL check for mesh_chansw_params_ie after mesh_matches_local() returns, consistent with how other optional IEs are guarded throughout the mesh code. The bug has been present since v3.13 (released 2014-01-19). The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-23279 since 01/13/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 03/25/2026). Upgrading to version 6.1.167, 6.6.130, 6.12.77, 6.18.17, 6.19.7 or 7.0-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 2b5f282b1b7241ef624c3399a1cdff0bb1a3eeab/22a9adea7e26d236406edc0ea00b54351dd56b9c/f5d8af683410a8c82e48b51291915bd612523d9a/cc6d5a3c0a854aeae00915fc5386570c86029c60/be8b82c567fda86f2cbb43b7208825125bb31421/017c1792525064a723971f0216e6ef86a8c7af11 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version. Productinfo Type Operating System Vendor Linux Name Kernel Version 6.1.166 6.6.129 6.12.0 6.12.1 6.12.2 6.12.3 6.12.4 6.12.5 6.12.6 6.12.7 6.12.8 6.12.9 6.12.10 6.12.11 6.12.12 6.12.13 6.12.14 6.12.15 6.12.16 6.12.17 6.12.18 6.12.19 6.12.20 6.12.21 6.12.22 6.12.23 6.12.24 6.12.25 6.12.26 6.12.27 6.12.28 6.12.29 6.12.30 6.12.31 6.12.32 6.12.33 6.12.34 6.12.35 6.12.36 6.12.37 6.12.38 6.12.39 6.12.40 6.12.41 6.12.42 6.12.43 6.12.44 6.12.45 6.12.46 6.12.47 6.12.48 6.12.49 6.12.50 6.12.51 6.12.52 6.12.53 6.12.54 6.12.55 6.12.56 6.12.57 6.12.58 6.12.59 6.12.60 6.12.61 6.12.62 6.12.63 6.12.64 6.12.65 6.12.66 6.12.67 6.12.68 6.12.69 6.12.70 6.12.71 6.12.72 6.12.73 6.12.74 6.12.75 6.12.76 6.18.0 6.18.1 6.18.2 6.18.3 6.18.4 6.18.5 6.18.6 6.18.7 6.18.8 6.18.9 6.18.10 6.18.11 6.18.12 6.18.13 6.18.14 6.18.15 6.18.16 6.19.0 6.19.1 6.19.2 6.19.3 6.19.4 6.19.5 6.19.6 7.0-rc1 License open-source Website Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/ CPE 2.3info 🔒 🔒 🔒 CPE 2.2info 🔒 🔒 🔒 CVSSv4info VulDB Vector: 🔒 VulDB Reliability: 🔍 CVSSv3info VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5 VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2 VulDB Base Score: 7.5 VulDB Temp Score: 7.2 VulDB Vector: 🔒 VulDB Reliability: 🔍 CVSSv2info Vector Complexity Authentication Confidentiality Integrity Availability Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock VulDB Base Score: 🔒 VulDB Temp Score: 🔒 VulDB Reliability: 🔍 Exploitinginfo Class: Null pointer dereference CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404 CAPEC: 🔒 ATT&CK: 🔒 Physical: No Local: No Remote: Yes Availability: 🔒 Status: Not defined Price Prediction: 🔍 Current Price Estimation: 🔒 0-Day Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Today Unlock Unlock Unlock Unlock Threat Intelligenceinfo Interest: 🔍 Active Actors: 🔍 Active APT Groups: 🔍 Countermeasuresinfo Recommended: Upgrade Status: 🔍 0-Day Time: 🔒 Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.167/6.6.130/6.12.77/6.18.17/6.19.7/7.0-rc2 Patch: 2b5f282b1b7241ef624c3399a1cdff0bb1a3eeab/22a9adea7e26d236406edc0ea00b54351dd56b9c/f5d8af683410a8c82e48b51291915bd612523d9a/cc6d5a3c0a854aeae00915fc5386570c86029c60/be8b82c567fda86f2cbb43b7208825125bb31421/017c1792525064a723971f0216e6ef86a8c7af11 Timelineinfo 01/13/2026 CVE reserved 03/25/2026 +71 days Advisory disclosed 03/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created 03/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update Sourcesinfo Vendor: kernel.org Advisory: git.kernel.org Status: Confirmed CVE: CVE-2026-23279 (🔒) GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23279 GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-353004 Entryinfo Created: 03/25/2026 12:08 Changes: 03/25/2026 12:08 (59) Complete: 🔍 Cache ID: 99:729:101 Discussion No comments yet. 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