# CVE-2026-23281: wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter()

CVE-2026-23281 is fixed in 50 products on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23281, released March 25, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-23281
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 7.8 (Important)
- EPSS: 0.0013
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Mar 25, 2026
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-23281

## Description

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 callback will access freed memory since lbs_cfg_free() frees the containing structure immediately after lbs_free_adapter() returns.  Both timer callbacks (lbs_cmd_timeout_handler and lbs_tx_lockup_handler) access priv->driver_lock, priv->cur_cmd, priv->dev, and other fields, which would all be use-after-free violations.  Use timer_delete_sync() instead to ensure any running timer callback has completed before returning.  This bug was introduced in commit 8f641d93c38a ("libertas: detect TX lockups and reset hardware") where del_timer() was used instead of del_timer_sync() in the cleanup path. The command_timer has had the same issue since the driver was first written.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | dtb-aarch64 opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-64kb opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-azure opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-default-base opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.27.1.160000.2.8 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-docs opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-kvmsmall opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP7-RT_Update_11 sles 15.7 | 1-150700.1.3.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:1573-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-1573-1.md) | Apr 23, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-build opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-obs-qa opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-rt opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-source opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-syms opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-devel ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-devel ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-deprecated ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-deprecated ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-desktop ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-desktop ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra-netfilter ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra-netfilter ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-usb ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-usb ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-wireless ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-wireless ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-devel ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-devel ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-doc ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-doc ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-deprecated ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-deprecated ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-desktop ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-desktop ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra-netfilter ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra-netfilter ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-usb ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-usb ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-wireless ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-wireless ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-tools ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-tools ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-devel ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-devel ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-deprecated ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-deprecated ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-desktop ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-desktop ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra-netfilter ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra-netfilter ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-usb ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-usb ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-wireless ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-wireless ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-204.92.4.2.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-50372](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-50372.md) | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-zfcpdump opensuse-leap 16.0 | 6.12.0-160000.28.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20572-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20572-1.md) | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 6.1.170-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23281](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-23281.md) | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 6.12.85-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23281](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-23281.md) | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 6.19.8-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23281](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-23281.md) | Mar 25, 2026 |

---

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