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CVE Record

CVE-2025-23133: wifi: ath11k: update channel list in reg notifier instead reg worker

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath11k: update channel list in reg notifier instead reg worker Currently when ath11k gets a new channel list, it will be processed according to the following steps: 1. update new channel list to cfg80211 and queue reg_work. 2. cfg80211 handles new channel list during reg_work. 3. update cfg80211's handled channel list to firmware by ath11k_reg_update_chan_list(). But ath11k will immediately execute step 3 after reg_work is just queued. Since step 2 is asynchronous, cfg80211 may not have completed handling the new channel list, which may leading to an out-of-bounds write error: BUG: KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds in ath11k_reg_update_chan_list Call Trace: ath11k_reg_update_chan_list+0xbfe/0xfe0 [ath11k] kfree+0x109/0x3a0 ath11k_regd_update+0x1cf/0x350 [ath11k] ath11k_regd_update_work+0x14/0x20 [ath11k] process_one_work+0xe35/0x14c0 Should ensure step 2 is completely done before executing step 3. Thus Wen raised patch[1]. When flag NL80211_REGDOM_SET_BY_DRIVER is set, cfg80211 will notify ath11k after step 2 is done. So enable the flag NL80211_REGDOM_SET_BY_DRIVER then cfg80211 will notify ath11k after step 2 is done. At this time, there will be no KASAN bug during the execution of the step 3. [1] https://patchwork.kernel.org/project/linux-wireless/patch/20230201065313.27203-1-quic_wgong@quicinc.com/ 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

CVE-2025-23133 is a Linux kernel Wi-Fi driver flaw in ath11k. A timing mistake while updating wireless channel regulatory data can cause an out-of-bounds memory write. Business impact is most relevant to Linux endpoints, appliances, or embedded systems using ath11k-supported Qualcomm Wi-Fi hardware, not generic Linux servers without that driver path.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted Linux endpoint and appliance patching item. It is not currently supported as internet-scale emergency risk by the supplied evidence, but kernel memory corruption in deployed wireless devices deserves timely remediation during normal security maintenance.

Technical view

ath11k queued cfg80211 regulatory work, then updated firmware before cfg80211 finished processing the new channel list. That race could trigger a KASAN slab-out-of-bounds write in ath11k_reg_update_chan_list. The resolved change uses NL80211_REGDOM_SET_BY_DRIVER so cfg80211 notifies ath11k after processing completes.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems with the ath11k Wi-Fi driver and supported Qualcomm WLAN hardware. The source notes testing on WCN6855. The CVE bundle lists Linux as affected for specified kernel versions, but it does not provide CPEs or distribution-specific package names.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not report active exploitation, and KEV is false. Public sources describe a kernel memory-safety bug found through KASAN behavior, not a confirmed weaponized exploit. Local hardware, driver state, and regulatory update timing likely matter, but the provided sources do not define attacker prerequisites.

Researcher notes

Key issue is ordering between cfg80211 regulatory work and ath11k firmware channel-list updates. The fix moves synchronization into the regulatory notifier path using NL80211_REGDOM_SET_BY_DRIVER. The available bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability detail, and distro package mapping, so exposure assessment needs local asset data.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux stable fixes referenced by the kernel commit links.
  • Use distribution kernel updates that backport the same ath11k regulatory handling fix.
  • Prioritize systems with ath11k Wi-Fi hardware or modules enabled.
  • Check vendor guidance before relying on interim operational workarounds.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux assets using ath11k-supported Qualcomm Wi-Fi hardware.
  • Confirm kernel packages include one referenced stable commit or equivalent backport.
  • Review kernel logs for ath11k_reg_update_chan_list KASAN or slab-out-of-bounds traces.
  • Validate patched builds in representative wireless regulatory-change scenarios.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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
4Source 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
LinuxLinuxf45cb6b29cd36514e13f7519770873d8c0457008, f45cb6b29cd36514e13f7519770873d8c0457008, f45cb6b29cd36514e13f7519770873d8c0457008, f96fd36936310cefe0ea1370a9ae30e6746e6f62, c97b120950b49d76bdce013bd4d9577d769465f4, 5.15.79, 6.0.9unaffected
LinuxLinux6.1, 0, 6.12.46, 6.14.2, 6.15affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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