CVE-2025-39863: wifi: brcmfmac: fix use-after-free when rescheduling brcmf_btcoex_info work
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: brcmfmac: fix use-after-free when rescheduling brcmf_btcoex_info work
The brcmf_btcoex_detach() only shuts down the btcoex timer, if the
flag timer_on is false. However, the brcmf_btcoex_timerfunc(), which
runs as timer handler, sets timer_on to false. This creates critical
race conditions:
1.If brcmf_btcoex_detach() is called while brcmf_btcoex_timerfunc()
is executing, it may observe timer_on as false and skip the call to
timer_shutdown_sync().
2.The brcmf_btcoex_timerfunc() may then reschedule the brcmf_btcoex_info
worker after the cancel_work_sync() has been executed, resulting in
use-after-free bugs.
The use-after-free bugs occur in two distinct scenarios, depending on
the timing of when the brcmf_btcoex_info struct is freed relative to
the execution of its worker thread.
Scenario 1: Freed before the worker is scheduled
The brcmf_btcoex_info is deallocated before the worker is scheduled.
A race condition can occur when schedule_work(&bt_local->work) is
called after the target memory has been freed. The sequence of events
is detailed below:
CPU0 | CPU1
brcmf_btcoex_detach | brcmf_btcoex_timerfunc
| bt_local->timer_on = false;
if (cfg->btcoex->timer_on) |
... |
cancel_work_sync(); |
... |
kfree(cfg->btcoex); // FREE |
| schedule_work(&bt_local->work); // USE
Scenario 2: Freed after the worker is scheduled
The brcmf_btcoex_info is freed after the worker has been scheduled
but before or during its execution. In this case, statements within
the brcmf_btcoex_handler() — such as the container_of macro and
subsequent dereferences of the brcmf_btcoex_info object will cause
a use-after-free access. The following timeline illustrates this
scenario:
CPU0 | CPU1
brcmf_btcoex_detach | brcmf_btcoex_timerfunc
| bt_local->timer_on = false;
if (cfg->btcoex->timer_on) |
... |
cancel_work_sync(); |
... | schedule_work(); // Reschedule
|
kfree(cfg->btcoex); // FREE | brcmf_btcoex_handler() // Worker
/* | btci = container_of(....); // USE
The kfree() above could | ...
also occur at any point | btci-> // USE
during the worker's execution|
*/ |
To resolve the race conditions, drop the conditional check and call
timer_shutdown_sync() directly. It can deactivate the timer reliably,
regardless of its current state. Once stopped, the timer_on state is
then set to false.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A timing flaw in Linux’s brcmfmac Wi-Fi driver can let background work access memory after it has been freed. This can crash a device or potentially compromise kernel-level confidentiality and integrity. The supplied CVSS score is 7.8, and exploitation requires local access rather than a network-only attack.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority targeted kernel update, especially for endpoints and embedded devices using Broadcom FullMAC wireless hardware. It is not presented as an internet-exploitable emergency or actively exploited issue. Require owners to establish driver exposure and apply supported fixed kernels within the normal high-severity remediation window.
Technical view
A race between brcmf_btcoex_detach() and the coexistence timer handler can bypass synchronous timer shutdown. The handler may reschedule work after cancellation and deallocation, producing two use-after-free windows. The kernel fix removes the conditional timer-state check and always calls timer_shutdown_sync() before clearing the state.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using affected brcmfmac Broadcom FullMAC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-coexistence code. The supplied version entries do not clearly define complete vulnerable ranges, and distributions may backport fixes. Determine exposure through driver usage, package provenance, and fix-commit status rather than version numbers alone.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector describes a local, low-privilege attack requiring no user interaction, with potentially high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The bundle reports no CISA KEV listing and supplies no evidence of active exploitation, public weaponization, or a confirmed practical attack path.
Researcher notes
The two documented windows are scheduling work after object deallocation and executing already-scheduled work during or after deallocation. Race timing is central. The sources establish the defect and synchronization fix, but do not establish a reliable trigger, exploitation technique, affected hardware list, distribution package mapping, or exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix, then boot into that kernel.
Check distribution or device-vendor guidance for backported fixes and exact affected package versions.
Where immediate updating is impossible, request vendor-approved mitigations; none are documented in the supplied sources.
Prioritize systems where brcmfmac and its Bluetooth-coexistence functionality are actually used.
Validation and detection
Inventory systems using the brcmfmac driver and identify their running kernel packages.
Compare vendor package changelogs or source ancestry with the applicable referenced stable fix commit.
Confirm updated systems are running the fixed kernel, not merely storing it on disk.
Review kernel logs for relevant crashes or memory-safety reports, without treating their absence as proof of safety.
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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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup
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2CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
7Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
2 official scores
We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-416 · source CWE mapping
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.