Linux: Improper Locking
CVE-2026-46271 is a high-severity improper locking vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 7379837c3f9efa576dc2d716ebfaa3a113b3112f, e042da1085d9f1686c58a4378d5840f52a36598e, e62102ac9b773bdb08475aa9ca24dea61ae98708 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.12% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to 7379837c3f9efa576dc2d716ebfaa3a113b3112f or e042da1085d9f1686c58a4378d5840f52a36598e or e62102ac9b773bdb08475aa9ca24dea61ae98708, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.18.14 or 6.19.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 32f7b19668bd2894f1a236580c2132fc4b9f4449 up to, but not including, 7379837c3f9efa576dc2d716ebfaa3a113b3112f; 32f7b19668bd2894f1a236580c2132fc4b9f4449 up to, but not including, e042da1085d9f1686c58a4378d5840f52a36598e; 32f7b19668bd2894f1a236580c2132fc4b9f4449 up to, but not including, e62102ac9b773bdb08475aa9ca24dea61ae98708; 6.16 | 7379837c3f9efa576dc2d716ebfaa3a113b3112f, e042da1085d9f1686c58a4378d5840f52a36598e, e62102ac9b773bdb08475aa9ca24dea61ae98708 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.16 up to, but not including, 6.18.14; 6.19 up to, but not including, 6.19.4 | 6.18.14, 6.19.4 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: do WoW offloads only on primary link In case of multi-link connection, WCN7850 firmware crashes due to WoW offloads enabled on both primary and secondary links. Change to do it only on primary link to fix it. Tested-on: WCN7850 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HMT.1.1.c5-00284-QCAHMTSWPL_V1.0_V2.0_SILICONZ-1
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Locking
The product does not properly acquire or release a lock on a resource, leading to unexpected resource state changes and behaviors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use industry standard APIs to implement locking mechanism.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Improper Locking vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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