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CVE Record

CVE-2018-8087: Memory leak in the hwsim_new_radio_nl function in drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c in the Linux kernel...

Memory leak in the hwsim_new_radio_nl function in drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c in the Linux kernel through 4.15.9 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by triggering an out-of-array error case.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's Takemoderate

Analyst readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-8087 is a Linux kernel memory leak that can let a local user exhaust memory and disrupt a system. The sources do not show remote exploitation or active exploitation. Business urgency is mainly for shared Linux hosts, CI runners, lab systems, or other environments where untrusted users can run local code.

Executive priority

Patch during normal vulnerability remediation, with higher priority for shared or multi-user Linux systems. This is a service availability risk, not a confirmed remote compromise path based on the supplied evidence.

Technical view

The issue is in hwsim_new_radio_nl in drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c through Linux kernel 4.15.9. A local user can trigger an out-of-array error case that leaks memory, causing denial of service through memory consumption. The referenced upstream commit and distro advisories indicate kernel updates addressed it.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to vulnerable Linux kernels through 4.15.9, especially systems where local users or workloads can exercise mac80211_hwsim behavior. The bundle does not identify affected CPEs or precise distro package ranges beyond linked Ubuntu, Debian, and Red Hat advisories.

Exploitation context

The CVE description supports local denial of service only. KEV is false, and the supplied sources do not claim active exploitation, public weaponization, privilege escalation, or remote attack. Treat exploitability as dependent on local access and vulnerable kernel configuration.

Researcher notes

Evidence is concise but consistent: CVE text identifies a memory leak and local DoS, while the upstream commit and distro advisories provide remediation anchors. Missing details include CVSS, CWE, exact CPEs, and module-specific exploit prerequisites.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel updates from the relevant Linux distribution advisory.
  • Prioritize shared hosts and systems allowing untrusted local code execution.
  • Confirm kernels include upstream commit 0ddcff49b672239dda94d70d0fcf50317a9f4b51 or vendor backport.
  • Check vendor guidance before changing or disabling mac80211_hwsim support.
  • Reboot systems after kernel updates where required by the vendor.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and flag systems at or before 4.15.9.
  • Map systems to Ubuntu, Debian, or Red Hat advisories where applicable.
  • Verify the running kernel, not only the installed package version.
  • Confirm local-user exposure on multi-tenant hosts and build runners.
  • Document whether mac80211_hwsim is present or operationally required.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

Public sources used

Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
15Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.