CVE-2026-23281
Published: March 25, 2026· Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter()
The lbs_free_adapter() function uses timer_delete() (non-synchronous)
for both command_timer and tx_lockup_timer before the structure is
freed. This is incorrect because timer_delete() does not wait for
any running timer callback to complete.
If a timer callback is executing when lbs_free_adapter() is called,
the callback will access freed memory since lbs_cfg_free() frees the
containing structure immediately after lbs_free_adapter() returns.
Both timer callbacks (lbs_cmd_timeout_handler and lbs_tx_lockup_handler)
access priv->driver_lock, priv->cur_cmd, priv->dev, and other fields,
which would all be use-after-free violations.
Use timer_delete_sync() instead to ensure any running timer callback
has completed before returning.
This bug was introduced in commit 8f641d93c38a ("libertas: detect TX
lockups and reset hardware") where del_timer() was used instead of
del_timer_sync() in the cleanup path. The command_timer has had the
same issue since the driver was first written.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-23281 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (6)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-23281 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts