CVE-2026-63821: Linux kernel · wifi: rtw88: usb: fix memory leaks on USB write failures
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 5% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 19 Jul 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
AI-suggested
A fix for this vulnerability has been implemented in the Linux kernel by correcting the driver to handle USB write failures properly and free allocated memory. Users should update to a Linux kernel version that includes this fix. Since no vendor advisory or patch links are provided, check the official Linux kernel repositories or distributions for the updated driver version containing this fix.
Description
A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's rtw88 USB WiFi driver was fixed. The issue occurs when USB write requests fail, causing allocated memory buffers and control structures not to be freed. This happens because the driver ignored error returns from the USB write function, leading to resource leaks during device disconnects or memory pressure. The fix involves checking the return value and explicitly freeing resources on failure.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-63821 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/200d58c851b8f63f77a05570072dd20f79bc3681 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b2060c2075a72bc2de43ce5e1b9347d6c5e27bb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/53fed4061a09755de99c89fdc7fae5b794da455f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b964941bbfe6e0f18b1a5e008486dbb62df440a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8206d173d18ef5a077423119f4e9a93cb3a6f4eb (opens in a new tab)