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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50187: ath11k: fix netdev open race

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ath11k: fix netdev open race Make sure to allocate resources needed before registering the device. This specifically avoids having a racing open() trigger a BUG_ON() in mod_timer() when ath11k_mac_op_start() is called before the mon_reap_timer as been set up. I did not see this issue with next-20220310, but I hit it on every probe with next-20220511. Perhaps some timing changed in between. Here's the backtrace: [ 51.346947] kernel BUG at kernel/time/timer.c:990! [ 51.346958] Internal error: Oops - BUG: 0 [#1] PREEMPT SMP ... [ 51.578225] Call trace: [ 51.583293] __mod_timer+0x298/0x390 [ 51.589518] mod_timer+0x14/0x20 [ 51.595368] ath11k_mac_op_start+0x41c/0x4a0 [ath11k] [ 51.603165] drv_start+0x38/0x60 [mac80211] [ 51.610110] ieee80211_do_open+0x29c/0x7d0 [mac80211] [ 51.617945] ieee80211_open+0x60/0xb0 [mac80211] [ 51.625311] __dev_open+0x100/0x1c0 [ 51.631420] __dev_change_flags+0x194/0x210 [ 51.638214] dev_change_flags+0x24/0x70 [ 51.644646] do_setlink+0x228/0xdb0 [ 51.650723] __rtnl_newlink+0x460/0x830 [ 51.657162] rtnl_newlink+0x4c/0x80 [ 51.663229] rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x124/0x390 [ 51.669917] netlink_rcv_skb+0x58/0x130 [ 51.676314] rtnetlink_rcv+0x18/0x30 [ 51.682460] netlink_unicast+0x250/0x310 [ 51.688960] netlink_sendmsg+0x19c/0x3e0 [ 51.695458] ____sys_sendmsg+0x220/0x290 [ 51.701938] ___sys_sendmsg+0x7c/0xc0 [ 51.708148] __sys_sendmsg+0x68/0xd0 [ 51.714254] __arm64_sys_sendmsg+0x28/0x40 [ 51.720900] invoke_syscall+0x48/0x120 Tested-on: WCN6855 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HSP.1.1-03125-QCAHSPSWPL_V1_V2_SILICONZ_LITE-3

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel stability flaw in the ath11k Wi-Fi driver. On affected systems, a timing race during device setup can hit a kernel BUG and crash the kernel path handling the wireless interface.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel reliability risk, not a confirmed internet-exploited emergency. Patch normal endpoint and appliance kernel update cycles, faster where ath11k Wi-Fi is business-critical.

Technical view

ath11k registered the net device before all required resources were initialized. A racing netdev open could call ath11k_mac_op_start before mon_reap_timer setup, causing BUG_ON in mod_timer and a kernel oops.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using affected kernel versions with ath11k-supported Qualcomm wireless hardware. The source specifically reports testing on WCN6855 hw2.0 PCI.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show KEV listing, active exploitation, public exploit code, or remote exploitation. Evidence describes a race observed during probe/open behavior causing a kernel BUG.

Researcher notes

The CVE evidence is narrow: commit message, backtrace, affected Linux ranges, and stable references. No CVSS, CWE, exploitability analysis, or attacker prerequisites are provided in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable ath11k fix commits.
  • Use distribution or vendor kernel advisories to identify the fixed package for your platform.
  • Prioritize affected laptops, endpoints, and appliances using ath11k-supported Qualcomm Wi-Fi hardware.
  • If patching is delayed, evaluate vendor-supported options to avoid loading the affected driver.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against the affected version data in the CVE record.
  • Confirm whether systems load or package the ath11k wireless driver.
  • Verify the kernel package includes the stable fix for "ath11k: fix netdev open race".
  • Check kernel logs for BUG/Oops traces involving mod_timer and ath11k_mac_op_start.
  • After updating, validate wireless interface startup and normal connectivity.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

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
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxd5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985dunaffected
LinuxLinux5.6, 0, 5.10.137, 5.15.61, 5.18.18, 5.19.2, 6.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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