CVE-2026-97442: Linux kernel · wifi: ath11k: fix invalid data access in ath11k_dp_rx_h_undecap_nwifi
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 16% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 24 Sep 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?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?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 fix is available and has been applied by adding a sanity check in the ath11k driver to prevent invalid data access. Users should update to a Linux kernel version that includes this patch. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation depends on applying the updated kernel version. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor's resolution note.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath11k Wi-Fi driver allows invalid data access and potential memory corruption due to packets exceeding the maximum native Wi-Fi header length. This occurs in the ath11k_dp_rx_h_undecap_nwifi() function when processing certain packet types. A fix has been implemented by adding a sanity check before processing to prevent this invalid access.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-97442 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97442 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b471e9aefee9ed73278eb1141e0d8530a56fae9 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c0a13be76db3c1cf774aa11d9f4c3f8239ac567 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/00738665c875ab34efa7126ea63c9d70b48ee169 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97442 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/958cf3696ddc5ccafd3d0b8b0c03d90bcd771c0c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b4ef30f1d107aae460edf731a7c2d187fbc46a32 (opens in a new tab)