CVE-2026-98351: wifi: virt_wifi: free skb when disconnected

Q: What systems are exposed to this issue?

Systems using the Linux kernel's virt_wifi simulated Wi-Fi driver are exposed when its simulated link is disconnected and packets are transmitted through that interface.

Q: What does an attacker or triggering workload need to do?

The condition is triggered by sending packets while the virt_wifi simulated link is disconnected. Each such packet can leak its socket buffer because the transmit path reports the packet as consumed without freeing it.

Q: Are systems affected while the simulated link is connected?

The described leak occurs specifically when the simulated link is disconnected. The provided information does not indicate the same behavior when the link is connected.

Q: What can be done before applying the fix?

Avoid transmitting traffic through virt_wifi while its simulated link is disconnected. This prevents the packet path described from repeatedly leaking socket buffers.

Published Oct 6, 2026

Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

wifi: virtwifi: free skb when disconnected

When the simulated link is disconnected, virtwifistartxmit() returns NETXMITDROP without freeing the skb. devhardstartxmit() treats this return value as consumed, so every packet sent while disconnected leaks its skb.

Free the skb before returning the drop status.

Affected Software

237 affected componentsFixes available

Linux Linux kernel

Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.157.1-1<6.6.158.1-1

6.6.158.1-1

debian/linux<=6.1.176-1, <=6.12.107-1

6.1.190-16.12.115-27.2.12-17.2.15-1

debian/linux-6.12

6.12.113-1~deb12u1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4*

ubuntu/linux*

ubuntu/linux-aws*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15<5.15.0-1119.126~20.04.1

5.15.0-1119.126~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15<5.15.0-1125.134~20.04.1

5.15.0-1125.134~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.15<5.15.0-1124.133~20.04.1

5.15.0-1124.133~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-bluefield*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15<5.15.0-1120.130~20.04.1

5.15.0-1120.130~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-202.212~20.04.1

5.15.0-202.212~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-ibm*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15<5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.1

5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15<5.15.0-1114.120~20.04.1

5.15.0-1114.120~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-iot*

ubuntu/linux-kvm*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-197.207~20.04.1

5.15.0-197.207~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15<5.15.0-1070.72~20.04.1

5.15.0-1070.72~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15<5.15.0-1116.122~20.04.1

5.15.0-1116.122~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15<5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.2

5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.2

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux<5.15.0-202.212

5.15.0-202.212

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws<5.15.0-1119.126

5.15.0-1119.126

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure<5.15.0-1125.134

5.15.0-1125.134

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.15.0-1120.130

5.15.0-1120.130

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke<5.15.0-1115.121

5.15.0-1115.121

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<5.15.0-1102.110

5.15.0-1102.110

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-ibm<5.15.0-1113.117

5.15.0-1113.117

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg<5.15.0-1114.120

5.15.0-1114.120

ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.15.0-1111.116

5.15.0-1111.116

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<5.15.0-197.207

5.15.0-197.207

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<5.15.0-1114.115

5.15.0-1114.115

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<5.15.0-1070.72

5.15.0-1070.72

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx<5.15.0-1059.59

5.15.0-1059.59

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.15.0-1116.122

5.15.0-1116.122

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp*

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<5.15.0-1103.105

5.15.0-1103.105

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime<5.15.0-1111.115

5.15.0-1111.115

ubuntu/linux-realtime<5.15.0-1118.127

5.15.0-1118.127

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<5.15.0-1119.126+fips1

5.15.0-1119.126+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<5.15.0-1125.134+fips1

5.15.0-1125.134+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<5.15.0-202.212+fips1

5.15.0-202.212+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<5.15.0-1120.130+fips1

5.15.0-1120.130+fips1

ubuntu/linux*

ubuntu/linux-aws*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-7.0*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0<7.0.0-42.42~24.04.1

7.0.0-42.42~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0*

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0<7.0.0-42.42.1~24.04.1

7.0.0-42.42.1~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-xilinx*

ubuntu/linux-bluefield*

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux<7.0.0-42.42

7.0.0-42.42

ubuntu/linux-aws<7.0.0-1016.17

7.0.0-1016.17

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<7.0.0-1016.18

7.0.0-1016.18

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-ibm<7.0.0-1017.17

7.0.0-1017.17

ubuntu/linux-nvidia*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-bos*

ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0<7.0.0-1017.17

7.0.0-1017.17

ubuntu/linux-oracle<7.0.0-1015.16

7.0.0-1015.16

ubuntu/linux-raspi*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv<7.0.0-42.42.1

7.0.0-42.42.1

linux/kernel>=5.0.0<5.10.271

5.10.271

linux/kernel>=5.11.0<5.15.222

5.15.222

linux/kernel>=5.16.0<6.1.189

6.1.189

linux/kernel>=6.2.0<6.6.158

6.6.158

linux/kernel>=6.7.0<6.12.112

6.12.112

linux/kernel>=6.13.0<6.18.54

6.18.54

linux/kernel>=6.19.0<7.2.8

7.2.8

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.6.158.1-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.115-2Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux-6.12 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.113-1~deb12u1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1119.126~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1125.134~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1124.133~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1120.130~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-202.212~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1114.120~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-197.207~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1070.72~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1116.122~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1113.117~20.04.2
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-202.212
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1119.126
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1125.134
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1120.130
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1115.121
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1102.110
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1113.117
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1114.120
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1111.116
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-197.207
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1114.115
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1070.72
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1059.59
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1116.122
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1103.105
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1111.115
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1118.127
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1119.126+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1125.134+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-202.212+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1120.130+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42.1~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.17
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.18
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-1015.16
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42.1
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.10.271
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.222
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.189
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.6.158
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.12.112
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.18.54
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 7.2.8
Compensating control
In virt_wifi_start_xmit(), free the skb when the simulated link is disconnected before returning NET_XMIT_DROP.

Event History

Oct 6, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·08:46 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·08:46 AM

Description

Data Sourced

via OSV·09:18 AM

DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Data Sourced

via NVD·09:18 AM

Description

Oct 7, 2026

Data Sourced

via Microsoft·08:33 AM

DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

DSA-6568

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What systems are exposed to this issue?

Systems using the Linux kernel's virt_wifi simulated Wi-Fi driver are exposed when its simulated link is disconnected and packets are transmitted through that interface.

What does an attacker or triggering workload need to do?

The condition is triggered by sending packets while the virt_wifi simulated link is disconnected. Each such packet can leak its socket buffer because the transmit path reports the packet as consumed without freeing it.

Are systems affected while the simulated link is connected?

The described leak occurs specifically when the simulated link is disconnected. The provided information does not indicate the same behavior when the link is connected.

What can be done before applying the fix?

Avoid transmitting traffic through virt_wifi while its simulated link is disconnected. This prevents the packet path described from repeatedly leaking socket buffers.

CVE-2026-98351: wifi: virt_wifi: free skb when disconnected

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Peer vulnerabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What systems are exposed to this issue?

What does an attacker or triggering workload need to do?

Are systems affected while the simulated link is connected?

What can be done before applying the fix?

Company

Resources

Contact