CVE-2026-64444: staging: rtl8723bs: fix OOB read in OnAssocRsp() IE loop
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
staging: rtl8723bs: fix OOB read in OnAssocRsp() IE loop
The IE parsing loop in OnAssocRsp() advances by (pIE->length + 2) each iteration but only guards on i < pktlen. When a malicious AP sends an AssocResponse whose last IE has only one byte remaining in the frame (the elementid byte lands at pktlen-1), the loop reads pIE->length from pframe[pktlen], which is one byte past the allocated receive buffer.
Additionally, even when the header bytes are in bounds, pIE->length itself can extend the data window beyond pktlen, silently passing a truncated IE to the handler functions.
Add two guards at the top of the loop body: 1. Break if fewer than sizeof(pIE) bytes remain (can't read header). 2. Break if the IE's declared data extends past pktlen.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Configuration
In rtl8723bs, update the IE parsing loop in OnAssocRsp() to add two guards at the top of the loop body: (1) break if fewer than sizeof(*pIE) bytes remain in the frame to prevent reading the IE header; (2) break if the IE’s declared data (pIE->length + header) extends past pkt_len. Ensure the loop advances by (pIE->length + 2) only after these bounds checks so a truncated last IE (e.g., only one byte remaining) cannot cause an out-of-bounds read beyond the allocated receive buffer.
Linux kernel (rtl8723bs) IE parsing loop guards in OnAssocRsp() = Add guards: break if fewer than sizeof(*pIE) bytes remain; break if declared IE data extends past pkt_len; advance by (pIE->length + 2) only within bounds
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are exposed?
Linux systems using the rtl8723bs staging driver are exposed when they process association responses from an access point. The issue is relevant where a device can associate with an untrusted or malicious nearby AP.
What does an attacker need to exploit this?
An attacker needs to send a crafted Association Response containing a malformed or truncated information element. The CVSS vector indicates adjacent-network access is required, with no privileges or user interaction required.
What is the expected security impact?
The CVSS assessment rates confidentiality and availability impact as high, while integrity impact is rated none. The malformed response can cause an out-of-bounds read during information-element parsing.
Is a fix available?
Yes. The provided references include three Linux stable kernel commits addressing the issue, but the affected and fixed kernel version ranges are not specified in the available data.