CVE-2023-53321 wifi: mac80211_hwsim: drop short frames
A missing check in the Linux kernel mac80211_hwsim module allows attackers to cause a denial of service by sending short frames that trigger invalid memory access.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-53321?
CVE-2023-53321 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 16 Sep 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: mac80211_hwsim: drop short frames
While technically some control frames like ACK are shorter and end after Address 1, such frames shouldn't be forwarded through wmediumd or similar userspace, so require the full 3-address header to avoid accessing invalid memory if shorter frames are passed in.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53321?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53321?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2023-53321 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53321 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53321, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53321, GHSA-g75g-rhj6-fwrr, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53321.