AI description
CVE-2026-58374 describes a vulnerability found in `hostapd` versions prior to 2.12, specifically affecting implementations built with `CONFIG_IEEE80211BE` enabled for AP-mode Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) Multi-Link Operation (MLO). The flaw stems from a missing bounds check during the processing of MLO association requests. An unauthenticated attacker within wireless range can exploit this by sending a specially crafted management frame containing a malformed Multi-Link Element or Per-STA Profile subelement. This manipulation causes an out-of-bounds write or small memory corruption within `hostapd` during association processing, before the 4-way handshake. The confirmed practical impact of this vulnerability is a denial of service, leading to the termination of the `hostapd` process.
- Description
- In hostapd before 2.12, a missing bounds check in AP-mode Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) Multi-Link Operation (MLO) association request processing allows an unauthenticated attacker within wireless range to send a crafted management frame containing a malformed Multi-Link Element or Per-STA Profile subelement. In hostapd_process_ml_assoc_req() in src/ap/ieee802_11_eht.c, the received link_id field can be parsed as value 15, but the corresponding links[] storage only has valid entries for lower link IDs (0 through 14). This causes an out-of-bounds write / small memory corruption during association processing before the 4-way handshake. The attack does not require network credentials, prior authentication, or user interaction. The confirmed practical impact is denial of service through hostapd process termination. This affects hostapd v2.11 and newer development snapshots before v2.12 when built with CONFIG_IEEE80211BE enabled. The issue is fixed in hostapd v2.12 and the upstream 2026-1 fixes.
- Source
- cve@mitre.org
- NVD status
- Analyzed
- Products
- hostapd
CVSS 3.1
- Type
- Primary
- Base score
- 7.1
- Impact score
- 4.2
- Exploitability score
- 2.8
- Vector string
- CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
- Severity
- HIGH
- cve@mitre.org
- CWE-193
- Hype score
- Not currently trending
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