CVE-2026-46305: Linux kernel · staging: rtl8723bs: os_dep: avoid NULL pointer dereference in rtw_cbuf_alloc
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · patch available : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 Jun 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@7.0.0-28.28?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@7.0.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke@7.0.0-1003.4?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and included in updated Linux kernel packages for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and related releases. Users should update their systems to the fixed kernel versions listed in the vendor advisory and reboot to apply the changes. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be required. No additional mitigation steps are necessary beyond applying the official updates.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's rtl8723bs staging driver could lead to a NULL pointer dereference due to unchecked allocation failure in the rtw_cbuf_alloc function. This flaw has been addressed in updated Linux kernel versions. The vulnerability has a medium severity score and does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can cause denial of service. Multiple Linux kernel subsystems have been updated in related advisories. Users should apply the official kernel updates and reboot to mitigate this issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-46305 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-46305 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/bc851db06045a40c18233dd76ef0562d7f8bb6db (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a5f411becfb7c57aa89827213d31ef23a03d75a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc851db06045a40c18233dd76ef0562d7f8bb6db (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8566-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8568-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8569-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8593-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8618-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8663-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8664-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)