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CVE Record

CVE-2025-39991: wifi: ath11k: fix NULL dereference in ath11k_qmi_m3_load()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath11k: fix NULL dereference in ath11k_qmi_m3_load() If ab->fw.m3_data points to data, then fw pointer remains null. Further, if m3_mem is not allocated, then fw is dereferenced to be passed to ath11k_err function. Replace fw->size by m3_len. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-39991 is a Linux kernel flaw in the ath11k Wi-Fi driver. Under a specific firmware-loading error path, the driver can dereference a null pointer. The public record does not provide CVSS severity, confirmed exploitation, or impact beyond the NULL dereference.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel reliability issue until severity is clarified. Prioritize patch tracking for Linux fleets with ath11k Wi-Fi exposure, especially managed endpoints or appliances, but there is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation.

Technical view

In ath11k_qmi_m3_load(), fw can remain NULL when ab->fw.m3_data is present. If m3_mem allocation is absent, the error path dereferences fw while logging. The kernel fix replaces fw->size with m3_len to avoid using the NULL fw pointer.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the ath11k Wi-Fi driver path present. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 6.7, 6.12.51, 6.16.11, 6.17.1, and 6.18, but version semantics are incomplete.

Exploitation context

No CISA KEV listing is reported, and the provided sources do not claim active exploitation. The bug was found by Linux Verification Center with SVACE, suggesting static analysis discovery rather than reported field exploitation.

Researcher notes

The vulnerable condition is narrowly described: ab->fw.m3_data is set, fw remains NULL, and the m3_mem failure path logs using fw->size. Public metadata lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability details, and distribution-specific fixed package versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Check your distribution or vendor kernel advisory for CVE-2025-39991 fixes.
  • Prioritize kernels that include one of the referenced stable fixes.
  • Inventory systems that load or ship the ath11k Wi-Fi driver.
  • If no vendor patch exists, track vendor guidance before applying manual kernel changes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm current kernel version against vendor advisories for CVE-2025-39991.
  • Check whether the ath11k driver is built, packaged, or loaded.
  • Verify deployed kernel sources include the m3_len logging fix.
  • Record whether affected assets use the relevant Wi-Fi driver path.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2025-39991 mapping review

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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
5Source 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
LinuxLinux7db88b962f06a52af5e9a32971012e8f3427cec0, 7db88b962f06a52af5e9a32971012e8f3427cec0, 7db88b962f06a52af5e9a32971012e8f3427cec0, 7db88b962f06a52af5e9a32971012e8f3427cec0unaffected
LinuxLinux6.7, 0, 6.12.51, 6.16.11, 6.17.1, 6.18affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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