CVE-2025-39918

What it actually does

The flaw causes corruption of linked list data structures within the mt76 wireless driver, resulting in memory corruption that can lead to crashes, use-after-free conditions, or potential escalation to arbitrary code execution in kernel context.

Why it matters to the business

Systems relying on mt76-based WiFi hardware face risks of wireless connectivity loss, unexpected reboots, or compromise, which can disrupt operations, increase downtime, and require urgent kernel updates across affected Linux deployments.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker interacts with the WiFi interface by sending crafted frames or triggering specific driver paths that manipulate linked lists without proper synchronization or validation, leading to corruption that an attacker can leverage for memory manipulation or control flow hijacking.

How to fix it

Apply the upstream fix by updating to the Linux kernel commit e4d5a5fc61fdc65220a1ce078d24c1d20bbb0835 or a later stable release that includes the mt76 linked list correction; rebuild and deploy updated kernel packages containing the mt76 driver.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm the fix is present by inspecting the mt76 source for the corrected list handling logic or verifying the kernel build includes commit e4d5a5fc61fdc65220a1ce078d24c1d20bbb0835; test wireless functionality under load to ensure no list-related panics occur.

Typical attack path

1. Gain proximity or network access to the target WiFi interface
2. Transmit specially crafted 802.11 frames or management packets to the mt76 driver
3. Trigger race conditions or error paths that corrupt internal linked list pointers
4. Leverage resulting memory corruption for kernel-level exploitation or denial of service

How to detect it

Review kernel logs and dmesg output for mt76 driver entries mentioning list corruption, invalid pointers, or related panics; examine wireless interface activity logs for anomalous packet handling preceding crashes.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize kernel updates containing the mt76 fix across all affected systems
• Monitor kernel logs for mt76-related oops or list corruption warnings until patches are deployed
• Limit exposure of mt76 hardware by disabling unnecessary WiFi interfaces where feasible