CVE-2023-54300
- Published: 2025-12-30T13:16:19.120
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.
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No related CWE found.
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How to fix CVE-2023-54300
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 = […]
Exploit Difficulty: HARD
⏱️ Time to exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Required skills: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public exploits: Rare or not public
How to Fix:
- Check if you're running the affected product
- Update to the latest patched version
- If patching is not immediately possible: restrict network exposure, apply least-privilege access
- Test the fix in a staging environment first
- Review logs for signs of exploitation
- Monitor for IOCs (Indicators of Compromise)
- Enable automatic security updates
- Set up vulnerability monitoring
- Review and harden security configurations
Exploit Difficulty Assessment
Vulnerability Timeline
CVE details first published to NVD database
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