Linux Kernel: Use-After-Free (CVE-2026-46125)
Published Last modified Sources: SUSE, Debian LTS, Ubuntu, Siemens ProductCERT, Red Hat, CVE.org, Msrc Update Guide, EUVD, BSI
What is affected, what to do
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: remove station if connection prep fails If connection preparation fails for MLO connections, then the interface is completely reset to non-MLD. In this case, we must not keep the station since it's related to the link of the vif being removed.
Update Linux Kernel to version 6.1.176, Linux Kernel to version 6.6.140, Linux Kernel to version 6.12.88.
- Affected
- Linux Kernel
lt 6.0..6.1.176 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.2..6.6.140 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.7..6.12.88 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.13..6.18.30 - Linux Kernel
lt 6.19..7.0.7
- Linux Kernel
- Fixed in
- Linux Kernel
6.1.176 - Linux Kernel
6.6.140 - Linux Kernel
6.12.88 - Linux Kernel
6.18.30 - Linux Kernel
7.0.7 - Linux Kernel
7.1
- Linux Kernel
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Metrics
8.8
Priority
XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.
Source: Vendor (CNA), CVSS v3
8.8
CVSS v3
Severity High on the scale from 0 to 10.
Source: SUSE, Debian LTS, Ubuntu, Siemens ProductCERT, Red Hat, CVE.org, Msrc Update Guide, EUVD, BSI
0.3 %
EPSS score
Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 23.1
Show all metrics
- Severity
- High
Priority (0–325)
The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?
Read in glossary- 66.20 Methodology
Exploit maturity
An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.
Read in glossary- no public PoC known
XIEM Effective CVSS
XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.
Read in glossary- 8.8 Methodology
CVSS v3
CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.
Read in glossary- 8.8
EPSS score
The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.
Read in glossary- 0.3 %
- Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
EPSS percentile
The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.
Read in glossary- 23.1
- Elevated — this CVE ranks above at least 10% of all CVEs scored today.
KEV status
The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.
Read in glossary- —
- Published
- CISA assessment (SSVC)
- Exploitation: none known · not automatable · Technical impact: total
- Source: CISA Vulnrichment, as of 16 October 2026
CWE
CWE is a catalogue of typical weakness types in software and hardware — such as flawed input validation, unsafe memory handling or poor authentication. Where a CVE names a concrete vulnerability in a concrete product, a CWE describes the underlying class of defect.
Read in glossary- CWE-416
Detection rules
No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.
Classification under NIS2 and CRA
Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.
NIS2
NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.
Read in glossary- High technical severity: assess and remediate the vulnerability in vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2 and document the decision.
CRA
The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.
Read in glossary- From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.
Read in glossary- Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: remove station if connection prep fails If connection preparation fails for MLO connections, then the interface is completely reset to non-MLD. In this case, we must not keep the station since it's related to the link of the vif being removed. Delete an existing station. Any "new_sta" is already being removed, so that doesn't need changes. This fixes a use-after-free/double-free in debugfs if that's enabled, because a vif going from MLD (and to MLD, but that's not relevant here) recreates its entire debugfs.
Source: suse_csaf, Debian LTS Advisories, Ubuntu Security Notices, siemens_advisory, redhat_csaf, NVD (NIST), Microsoft Security Update Guide, ENISA EUVD, CVE.org (MITRE), cvelistv5, BSI WID Portal, BSI CSAF
Affected products
The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux |
|
|
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7 |
|
|
Vendors and products
Affected operating systems
| Linux | debian | linux | bookworm |
| Linux | debian | linux-6.1 | bullseye |
| Linux | linux | linux_kernel | 7.1 |
| Linux | linux | linux_kernel | — |
Weakness classes (CWE)
CWE-416Use After Free
Variant
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
Entry at MITRE CWE-416
References & sources
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/fe75fa1ac9a92990f7fc3d34b17808fd933071b2euvd, Patch
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/afcbaed89cdc1a001b43270cbf5394bb4804270aeuvd, Patch
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0euvd, Patch
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1euvd, Patch
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4euvd, Patch
- git.kernel.orgstable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500bPatch
- access.redhat.comsecurity/cve/CVE-2026-46125Vulnerability database, x_refsource_REDHAT
- bugzilla.redhat.comRHBZ#2482608Issue tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT
- security.access.redhat.comdata/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-46125.jsonx_sadp-csaf-vex
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:27731Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:27288Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:26515Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:27735Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:27708Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:27789Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:26427Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:26563Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:26428Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- access.redhat.comerrata/RHSA-2026:26462Vendor advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- Siemens ProductCERTproductcert/html/ssa-784472.html
Changes to this CVE
Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).
Record modifiedCISA ADP
Weakness type: CWE-416
Show the original change
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Weakness type (CWE) added —CWE-416Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Record modifiedCISA ADP
CISA assessment (SSVC): exploitation: none known, automatable: no
Show the original change
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After SSVC assessment added —{"id":"CVE-2026-46125","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-10-16T15:20:08.786122Z"}Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Record modifiedLinux
New references:- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0
and 2 more references
Show 18 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500bReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/afcbaed89cdc1a001b43270cbf5394bb4804270aReference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe75fa1ac9a92990f7fc3d34b17808fd933071b2Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500b—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/afcbaed89cdc1a001b43270cbf5394bb4804270a—Reference removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe75fa1ac9a92990f7fc3d34b17808fd933071b2—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500b Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1 Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4 Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0 Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/afcbaed89cdc1a001b43270cbf5394bb4804270a Types: Patch—Reference type removed https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe75fa1ac9a92990f7fc3d34b17808fd933071b2 Types: Patch—Source identifier: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Record modifiedRed Hat ADP
Show 26 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26427Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26428Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26462Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26515Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26563Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27288Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27708Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27731Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27735Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27789Reference added —https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-46125Reference added —https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2482608Reference added —https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-46125.jsonReference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26427—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26428—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26462—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26515—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26563—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27288—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27708—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27731—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27735—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27789—Reference removed https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-46125—Reference removed https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2482608—Reference removed https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-46125.json—Source identifier: 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
Record modifiedSiemens ADP
Show 2 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Affected versions (publisher) added —New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/46xxx/CVE-2026-46125.json">CVE-2026-46125</a>Reference added —https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784472.htmlSource identifier: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
Show 2 older changes
Initial analysis by NVDNVD
Newly listed as affected:- Linux Kernel (6.13 – before 6.18.30; 6.19 – before 7.0.7; 6.7 – before 6.12.88; 6.2 – before 6.6.140; 6.0 – before 6.1.176; 2 individual versions)
Weakness type: CWE-416
New references:- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0
and 2 more references
Show 8 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Weakness type (CWE) added —CWE-416Product configuration added —OR *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.13 up to (excluding) 6.18.30 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.19 up to (excluding) 7.0.7 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.7 up to (excluding) 6.12.88 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.2 up to (excluding) 6.6.140 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.0 up to (excluding) 6.1.176Reference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500b Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c2b72ea89882aeb948340498391e69c58d466f1 Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/283fc9e44ff5b5ac967439b4951b80bd4299f4e4 Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e28654f79f443bca9b29ff3ae7cf18abfba58a0 Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/afcbaed89cdc1a001b43270cbf5394bb4804270a Types: PatchReference type added —kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe75fa1ac9a92990f7fc3d34b17808fd933071b2 Types: PatchSource identifier: nvd@nist.gov
Record modifiedLinux
Show 2 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18fed0a209500bfea5c4c08609ec93855e4e500bAffected versions (publisher) changed Linux, LinuxLinux, LinuxSource identifier: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
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<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2026-46125"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2026-46125.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2026-46125 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>