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CVE-2026-53248: Linux kernel: Airoha Wi-Fi driver use-after-free fix
CVE-2026-53248
Summary
A security fix has been made to the Linux kernel's Airoha Wi-Fi driver to prevent a situation where a program tries to access memory that has already been freed. This vulnerability was resolved to ensure the driver doesn't crash or behave unexpectedly. Update your Linux kernel to take advantage of this fix.
What to do
No fix is available yet. Check with your software vendor for updates.
Affected software
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel |
>= 6.15, < 6.18.36 >= 6.19, < 7.0.13 7.1 cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
Original title
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: airoha: Fix use-after-free in metadata dst teardown
airoha_metadata_dst_free() runs metadata_dst_free() which frees the
me...
Original description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: airoha: Fix use-after-free in metadata dst teardown
airoha_metadata_dst_free() runs metadata_dst_free() which frees the
metadata_dst with kfree() immediately, bypassing the RCU grace period.
In the RX path, skb_dst_set_noref() sets a non-refcounted pointer from
the skb to the metadata_dst. This function requires RCU read-side
protection and the dst must remain valid until all RCU readers complete.
Since metadata_dst_free() calls kfree() directly, an use-after-free can
occur if any skb still holds a noref pointer to the dst when the driver
tears it down.
Replace metadata_dst_free() with dst_release() which properly goes
through the refcount path: when the refcount drops to zero, it schedules
the actual free via call_rcu_hurry(), ensuring all RCU readers have
completed before the memory is freed.
net: airoha: Fix use-after-free in metadata dst teardown
airoha_metadata_dst_free() runs metadata_dst_free() which frees the
metadata_dst with kfree() immediately, bypassing the RCU grace period.
In the RX path, skb_dst_set_noref() sets a non-refcounted pointer from
the skb to the metadata_dst. This function requires RCU read-side
protection and the dst must remain valid until all RCU readers complete.
Since metadata_dst_free() calls kfree() directly, an use-after-free can
occur if any skb still holds a noref pointer to the dst when the driver
tears it down.
Replace metadata_dst_free() with dst_release() which properly goes
through the refcount path: when the refcount drops to zero, it schedules
the actual free via call_rcu_hurry(), ensuring all RCU readers have
completed before the memory is freed.
Vulnerability type
CWE-416
Use After Free
Published: 25 Jun 2026 · Updated: 23 Jul 2026 · First seen: 25 Jun 2026