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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23130: wifi: ath12k: fix dead lock while flushing management frames

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: fix dead lock while flushing management frames Commit [1] converted the management transmission work item into a wiphy work. Since a wiphy work can only run under wiphy lock protection, a race condition happens in below scenario: 1. a management frame is queued for transmission. 2. ath12k_mac_op_flush() gets called to flush pending frames associated with the hardware (i.e, vif being NULL). Then in ath12k_mac_flush() the process waits for the transmission done. 3. Since wiphy lock has been taken by the flush process, the transmission work item has no chance to run, hence the dead lock. >From user view, this dead lock results in below issue: wlp8s0: authenticate with xxxxxx (local address=xxxxxx) wlp8s0: send auth to xxxxxx (try 1/3) wlp8s0: authenticate with xxxxxx (local address=xxxxxx) wlp8s0: send auth to xxxxxx (try 1/3) wlp8s0: authenticated wlp8s0: associate with xxxxxx (try 1/3) wlp8s0: aborting association with xxxxxx by local choice (Reason: 3=DEAUTH_LEAVING) ath12k_pci 0000:08:00.0: failed to flush mgmt transmit queue, mgmt pkts pending 1 The dead lock can be avoided by invoking wiphy_work_flush() to proactively run the queued work item. Note actually it is already present in ath12k_mac_op_flush(), however it does not protect the case where vif being NULL. Hence move it ahead to cover this case as well. Tested-on: WCN7850 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HMT.1.1.c5-00302-QCAHMTSWPL_V1.0_V2.0_SILICONZ-1.115823.3

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can deadlock the ath12k Wi-Fi driver while flushing management frames. For users, it may appear as repeated authentication or association failures and pending management packets. The source evidence points to availability and reliability impact, not data theft or privilege escalation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted reliability fix for Linux Wi-Fi endpoints, not an emergency breach indicator. Prioritize fleets where wireless connectivity is operationally important or difficult to replace.

Technical view

The race occurs after management transmission work was converted to wiphy work. ath12k_mac_op_flush() can hold the wiphy lock while waiting for transmission completion, preventing the queued work item from running. The fix moves wiphy_work_flush() earlier so it also covers the vif == NULL hardware flush case.

Likely exposure

Likely exposure is Linux systems using affected kernel builds with the ath12k Wi-Fi driver. The source lists Linux as the affected product and references stable kernel fixes. Version details in the source bundle are incomplete and should be verified against vendor kernel packages.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is reported in KEV or the provided sources. The public description shows a driver deadlock during wireless management-frame handling. The sources do not establish remote exploitability, privilege escalation, or confidentiality impact.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description and two Linux stable commit references. The issue is a locking-order deadlock in ath12k management-frame flushing. No CVSS, CWE, exploit evidence, or distribution-specific affected package list is provided.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a Linux kernel package that includes the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported ath12k fixes.
  • Prioritize Wi-Fi-dependent endpoints using ath12k-supported hardware.
  • Use wired networking or alternate Wi-Fi hardware where update timing is constrained.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and systems using the ath12k driver.
  • Confirm whether vendor kernel changelogs include the referenced stable commits.
  • Review logs for failed management transmit queue flush messages.
  • Test Wi-Fi authentication and association after applying the kernel update.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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
3Source 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
LinuxLinux56dcbf0b520796e26b2bbe5686bdd305ad924954, 56dcbf0b520796e26b2bbe5686bdd305ad924954unaffected
LinuxLinux6.14, 0, 6.18.8, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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