CVE-2023-52798 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the ath11k wireless driver, which is responsible for managing certain Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6 chipsets. The flaw arises from improper synchronization in the handling of DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) radar events. The ath11k driver uses Read-Copy-Update (RCU) mechanisms to protect active physical device (pdev) structures. However, the DFS radar event handling code invoking ath11k_mac_get_ar_by_pdev_id() was not marked as an RCU read-side critical section. This omission can lead to a use-after-free condition where the code accesses freed memory, potentially causing kernel crashes or enabling privilege escalation. The vulnerability was addressed by marking the relevant code as an RCU read-side critical section, ensuring safe concurrent access and preventing use-after-free issues. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8, reflecting a network attack vector with low complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and resulting in high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the severity and nature of the flaw make it a significant risk for systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with ath11k drivers enabled.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for enterprises and service providers relying on Linux-based infrastructure with Qualcomm ath11k Wi-Fi chipsets. Exploitation could allow attackers with limited privileges to escalate their access, potentially gaining kernel-level control. This could lead to data breaches, disruption of network services, or deployment of persistent malware. Given the widespread use of Linux in servers, embedded devices, and network equipment across Europe, the vulnerability could affect critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and enterprise environments. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that sensitive data could be exposed or altered, and network connectivity disrupted, impacting business continuity and regulatory compliance under frameworks like GDPR.

Organizations should promptly apply the Linux kernel patches that address this vulnerability by marking the DFS radar event handling code as an RCU read-side critical section. Since the vulnerability affects specific kernel versions, verifying the kernel version and updating to the latest stable release containing the fix is essential. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, disabling or limiting the use of affected Wi-Fi hardware or drivers can reduce risk. Network segmentation and strict access controls can limit the ability of low-privilege users to exploit the flaw. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual crashes or anomalies related to the ath11k driver may help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should maintain robust vulnerability management processes to track and deploy Linux kernel updates regularly.