# CVE-2015-0571: Missing authorization in n/a

> Attackers can gain privileges via a crafted application due to missing authorization checks in the Linux kernel WLAN driver.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 9 May 2016
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-frf2-9xr3-8pcj

## What is CVE-2015-0571?

CVE-2015-0571 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 9 May 2016. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The WLAN (aka Wi-Fi) driver for the Linux kernel 3.x and 4.x, as used in Qualcomm Innovation Center (QuIC) Android contributions for MSM devices and other products, does not verify authorization for private SET IOCTL calls, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, related to wlan_hdd_hostapd.c and wlan_hdd_wext.c.

Weakness: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-0571?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Linux kernel.

## How do I fix CVE-2015-0571?

No fix has been published for CVE-2015-0571 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2015-0571 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-0571 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

- [CVE-2026-53266](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53266/): Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-6282](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-6282/): Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2022-0185](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0185/): Linux Kernel Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-2094](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2094/): Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-53362](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53362/): Linux Kernel Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2015-0571 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2015-0571 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 9 May 2016. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-0571 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Linux kernel. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-0571/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-0571/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-0571
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-0571
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2015-0571

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-0571/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.