CVE-2026-23281: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-23281?

linux kernel: upgrade to 5.10.253, 5.15.203, 6.1.167, 6.6.130, 6.12.78, 6.18.17, 6.19.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-23281 being exploited?

CVE-2026-23281 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-23281 affect?

CVE-2026-23281 affects linux kernel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter() The lbs_free_adapter() function uses timer_delete() (non-synchronous) for both command_timer and tx_lockup_timer

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-23281?

Priority 33/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Routine

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-23281 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting linux kernel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter() The lbs_free_adapter() function uses timer_delete() (non-synchronous) for both command_timer and tx_lockup_timer before the structure is freed. This is incorrect because timer_delete() does not wait for any running timer callback to complete. If a timer callback is executing when lbs_free_adapter() is called, the callbac

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 97%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2026-03-25
Last modified	2026-10-15

Publisher (CNA): kernel.org · Vendor: linux

Last updated 2026-10-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-03-25 11:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-15 02:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linux linux kernel UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.6.24 and < 5.10.253 · >= 5.11 and < 5.15.203 · >= 5.16 and < 6.1.167 · >= 6.2 and < 6.6.130 · >= 6.7 and < 6.12.78 · >= 6.13 and < 6.18.17 · >= 6.19 and < 6.19.7 · 7.0 rc1

Fixed in: 5.10.253, 5.15.203, 6.1.167, 6.6.130, 6.12.78, 6.18.17, 6.19.7

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-23281?

linux kernel: upgrade to 5.10.253, 5.15.203, 6.1.167, 6.6.130, 6.12.78, 6.18.17, 6.19.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-23281 being exploited?

CVE-2026-23281 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-23281 affect?

CVE-2026-23281 affects linux kernel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter() The lbs_free_adapter() function uses timer_delete() (non-synchronous) for both command_timer and tx_lockup_timer

How urgent is CVE-2026-23281?

Priority 33/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities · Wi-Fi vulnerabilities

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References

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