CVE-2026-72070 wifi: libertas_tf: fix use-after-free in lbtf_free_adapter()
A use-after-free in the Linux libertas_tf Wi-Fi driver allows attackers to cause denial of service or execute code during device teardown.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72070?
CVE-2026-72070 is an use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 2026. 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: libertas_tf: fix use-after-free in lbtf_free_adapter()
lbtf_free_adapter() calls timer_delete(&priv->command_timer), which does not wait for a running command_timer_fn() callback. lbtf_free_adapter() runs on the teardown path right before ieee80211_free_hw() frees priv, both in lbtf_remove_card() and in the probe error path. command_timer is armed by mod_timer() in lbtf_cmd() whenever a firmware command is sent. command_timer_fn() dereferences priv. If a command times out as the device is removed, command_timer_fn() runs concurrently with teardown and dereferences priv after it has been freed.
This is the same use-after-free that commit 03cc8f90d053 ("wifi: libertas: fix use-after-free in lbs_free_adapter()") fixed in the sibling libertas driver. The libertas_tf variant has the identical pattern and was left unchanged. Use timer_delete_sync() so any in-flight callback completes before priv is freed.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72070?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72070?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-72070 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72070 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-72070, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72070, GHSA-7vh5-jw3c-f9r7, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72070.