CVE-2026-53104

What it actually does

This is a Linux kernel memory leak in the mt76 Wi-Fi driver cleanup path. When an affected MediaTek mt76 wireless device or driver instance is destroyed, some receive queues can retain their associated page_pool allocations instead of releasing them correctly, particularly queues not tied to NAPI such as WED RRO queues. Repeated device teardown, driver unload/reload, unbind/rebind, or related reset paths can progressively consume kernel memory. The likely technical outcome is local denial of service through memory exhaustion, degraded wireless networking, OOM kills, or system instability. There is no indication from the provided data that this enables remote code execution or privilege escalation.

Why it matters to the business

Systems using affected Linux kernels with mt76-based Wi-Fi hardware may become unstable or unavailable if the vulnerable cleanup path is repeatedly triggered. The operational impact is most relevant for laptops, embedded Linux devices, access points, routers, or appliances using MediaTek wireless chipsets. Because EPSS is very low, it is not in CISA KEV, and no public exploit maturity is indicated, broad internet-scale exploitation is unlikely; however, environments with exposed local users, automated hardware reset workflows, or untrusted administrative access should still prioritize kernel updates to prevent avoidable outages.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker would generally need local access or sufficient permissions to influence the affected wireless driver lifecycle. They would identify a system using an affected Linux kernel and mt76 Wi-Fi driver, then repeatedly trigger destruction and reinitialization of the device or driver, such as by unloading and reloading modules, unbinding and rebinding the PCI/USB device, toggling hardware paths, or otherwise forcing driver cleanup. Each cleanup can leak page_pool-backed memory. Over time, kernel memory pressure increases until the system experiences degraded performance, failed allocations, OOM activity, loss of wireless connectivity, or a crash/reboot. This is best understood as a resource-exhaustion flaw rather than a direct remote compromise path.

How to fix it

Update to a Linux kernel version or vendor-maintained kernel package that includes the mt76 cleanup fix. If exact fixed package versions are not available from the CVE metadata, follow the advisory from the relevant Linux distribution, device vendor, appliance vendor, or kernel branch maintainer and apply the first kernel release that backports the mt76 page_pool cleanup correction. Reboot into the updated kernel after installation. As temporary mitigations, disable unused mt76 wireless hardware, remove unnecessary mt76 modules where operationally safe, restrict local administrative access, restrict the ability to unload kernel modules or unbind devices, and monitor for repeated wireless driver reset/unload activity. A reboot may recover leaked memory but does not fix the underlying issue.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm exposure by checking whether the system runs a Linux kernel with mt76 driver support and whether mt76-related modules are loaded or mt76-based hardware is present. Validate remediation by confirming the running kernel package includes the vendor fix, not merely that an updated package is installed. After patching and rebooting, confirm the active kernel version is the fixed vendor build. Where safe in a test environment, repeat controlled mt76 module or device teardown/reinitialization cycles and monitor kernel memory, slab/page_pool behavior, dmesg, and OOM activity to verify memory is no longer steadily lost. Production validation should avoid stress loops that could cause denial of service.

Typical attack path

1. Gain local access or administrative/script execution capability on a Linux system using an affected mt76 wireless driver.
2. Confirm the presence of MediaTek mt76 Wi-Fi hardware and loaded mt76-related kernel modules.
3. Repeatedly trigger driver/device teardown and recreation, such as module unload/reload or device unbind/rebind.
4. Cause page_pool memory associated with certain receive queues to remain allocated after cleanup.
5. Continue the cycle until kernel memory pressure causes wireless failure, OOM kills, system instability, or denial of service.

How to detect it

There are no unique, CVE-specific indicators proving exploitation from the provided data. Detection should focus on behavior: repeated mt76 driver unload/load events, PCI or USB device unbind/rebind activity for MediaTek Wi-Fi devices, abnormal increases in kernel memory usage after wireless driver resets, OOM killer events, and unexplained wireless interface loss followed by service or host instability. Useful log sources include kernel logs, dmesg/journald, syslog, auditd command execution logs, EDR process telemetry, shell history where available, and configuration-management or automation logs. Hunt for privileged commands such as modprobe, rmmod, insmod, ip link operations, rfkill toggling, and writes to sysfs driver bind/unbind paths occurring repeatedly near memory pressure or OOM events. Treat findings as suspicious only when the sequence shows repeated driver teardown combined with resource exhaustion, because individual mt76 or module-management log entries can be normal administration.

What your security team should do

• Inventory Linux systems, embedded devices, routers, access points, and appliances that use MediaTek mt76 wireless drivers.
• Prioritize patching systems where untrusted local users, automation, or management tooling can trigger driver reloads, device resets, or module unloads.
• Apply vendor kernel updates that include the mt76 page_pool cleanup fix and reboot into the fixed kernel.
• Restrict privileged operations that can unload kernel modules or unbind/rebind hardware devices.
• Monitor affected systems for repeated mt76 driver lifecycle events, abnormal kernel memory growth, OOM kills, and wireless interface instability.
• If immediate patching is not possible, disable unused mt76 wireless interfaces or isolate affected devices from untrusted local access.
• Track vendor advisories because fixed versions may differ across Linux distributions, downstream kernels, and appliance firmware builds.