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CVE Record

CVE-2025-71234: wifi: rtl8xxxu: fix slab-out-of-bounds in rtl8xxxu_sta_add

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rtl8xxxu: fix slab-out-of-bounds in rtl8xxxu_sta_add The driver does not set hw->sta_data_size, which causes mac80211 to allocate insufficient space for driver private station data in __sta_info_alloc(). When rtl8xxxu_sta_add() accesses members of struct rtl8xxxu_sta_info through sta->drv_priv, this results in a slab-out-of-bounds write. KASAN report on RISC-V (VisionFive 2) with RTL8192EU adapter: BUG: KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds in rtl8xxxu_sta_add+0x31c/0x346 Write of size 8 at addr ffffffd6d3e9ae88 by task kworker/u16:0/12 Set hw->sta_data_size to sizeof(struct rtl8xxxu_sta_info) during probe, similar to how hw->vif_data_size is configured. This ensures mac80211 allocates sufficient space for the driver's per-station private data. Tested on StarFive VisionFive 2 v1.2A board.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux Wi-Fi driver bug can write past allocated kernel memory when adding a station for rtl8xxxu-supported Realtek USB adapters. The public record describes a KASAN-detected slab out-of-bounds write and a kernel fix. Business exposure appears limited to Linux systems using this driver and hardware path.

Executive priority

Treat as targeted infrastructure hygiene rather than broad emergency response. Prioritize patching laptops, embedded Linux, test rigs, and appliances that use Realtek USB Wi-Fi with rtl8xxxu, while awaiting fuller severity and exploitability details from vendors.

Technical view

rtl8xxxu did not set hw->sta_data_size, so mac80211 allocated too little private station data in __sta_info_alloc(). rtl8xxxu_sta_add() then accessed struct rtl8xxxu_sta_info through sta->drv_priv, causing a slab-out-of-bounds write. The fix sets hw->sta_data_size during probe.

Likely exposure

Likely exposed assets are Linux systems using the rtl8xxxu Wi-Fi driver, especially with Realtek USB adapters such as the RTL8192EU noted in testing. The source bundle lists affected Linux kernel versions, but does not provide a complete distribution-level mapping.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not report active exploitation, public exploit availability, KEV listing, or remote attack requirements. Evidence is limited to a KASAN report on a RISC-V VisionFive 2 board with an RTL8192EU adapter and upstream stable kernel fixes.

Researcher notes

The vulnerability is a kernel driver private-data allocation mismatch. Impact beyond memory corruption is not characterized in the provided sources. Avoid assuming privilege escalation, remote exploitation, or broad Wi-Fi exposure without additional vendor analysis or a scored advisory.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Linux hosts using rtl8xxxu-supported Realtek USB Wi-Fi adapters.
  • Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • If immediate patching is unavailable, reduce reliance on affected Wi-Fi adapters where practical.
  • Monitor Linux distribution advisories for backported fixed kernel packages.

Validation and detection

  • Check running kernel versions against distribution advisories for CVE-2025-71234.
  • Inventory loaded modules and hardware for rtl8xxxu and Realtek USB Wi-Fi usage.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the rtl8xxxu sta_data_size fix.
  • Review kernel logs for KASAN or memory corruption reports if debug builds are used.
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

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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

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Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxeef55f1545c92c7181d5083453dee1296298ad3e, eef55f1545c92c7181d5083453dee1296298ad3e, eef55f1545c92c7181d5083453dee1296298ad3e, eef55f1545c92c7181d5083453dee1296298ad3eunaffected
LinuxLinux6.9, 0, 6.12.72, 6.18.11, 6.19.1, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

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