CVE-2023-54300
wifi: ath9k: avoid referencing uninit memory in ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: avoid referencing uninit memory in ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx For the reasons also described in commit b383e8abed41 ("wifi: ath9k: avoid uninit memory read in ath9k_htc_rx_msg()"), ath9k_htc_rx_msg() should validate pkt_len before accessing the SKB. For example, the obtained SKB may have been badly constructed with pkt_len = 8. In this case, the SKB can only contain a valid htc_frame_hdr but after being processed in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() and passed to ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx() endpoint RX handler, it is expected to have a WMI command header which should be located inside its data payload. Implement sanity checking inside ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx(). Otherwise, uninit memory can be referenced. Tested on Qualcomm Atheros Communications AR9271 802.11n . Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.
INFO
Published Date :
Dec. 30, 2025, 1:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
Dec. 30, 2025, 1:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2023-54300
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
No affected product recoded yet
Solution
- Update the Linux kernel to a patched version.
- Verify memory access checks in ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx.
- Ensure pkt_len is validated before SKB access.
- Review SKB data payload for WMI command header integrity.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2023-54300.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2023-54300 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2023-54300
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2023-54300 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2023-54300 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Dec. 30, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: avoid referencing uninit memory in ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx For the reasons also described in commit b383e8abed41 ("wifi: ath9k: avoid uninit memory read in ath9k_htc_rx_msg()"), ath9k_htc_rx_msg() should validate pkt_len before accessing the SKB. For example, the obtained SKB may have been badly constructed with pkt_len = 8. In this case, the SKB can only contain a valid htc_frame_hdr but after being processed in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() and passed to ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx() endpoint RX handler, it is expected to have a WMI command header which should be located inside its data payload. Implement sanity checking inside ath9k_wmi_ctrl_rx(). Otherwise, uninit memory can be referenced. Tested on Qualcomm Atheros Communications AR9271 802.11n . Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller. Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0bc12e41af4e3ae1f0efecc377f0514459df0707 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/250efb4d3f5b32a115ea6bf25437ba44a1b3c04f Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/28259ce4f1f1f9ab37fa817756c89098213d2fc0 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75acec91aeaa07375cd5f418069e61b16d39bbad Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ed572e52714593b209e3aa352406aff84481179 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/90e3c10177573b8662ac9858abd9bf731d5d98e0 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ad5425e70789c29b93acafb5bb4629e4eb908296 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d1c2ff2bd84c3692c9df267a2b991ce92bfca8ef Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f24292e827088bba8de7158501ac25a59b064953