CVE-2025-38642

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

wifi: mac80211: fix WARN_ON for monitor mode on some devices

On devices without WANT_MONITOR_VIF (and probably without channel context support) we get a WARN_ON for changing the per-link setting of a monitor interface.

Since we already skip AP_VLAN interfaces and MONITOR with WANT_MONITOR_VIF and/or NO_VIRTUAL_MONITOR should update the settings, catch this in the link change code instead of the warning.

Weakness

The product contains an assert() or similar statement that can be triggered by an attacker, which leads to an application exit or other behavior that is more severe than necessary.

Affected Software

Extended Description

While assertion is good for catching logic errors and reducing the chances of reaching more serious vulnerability conditions, it can still lead to a denial of service. For example, if a server handles multiple simultaneous connections, and an assert() occurs in one single connection that causes all other connections to be dropped, this is a reachable assertion that leads to a denial of service.

Potential Mitigations

References

• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1e10ded6b0f9b0eeefaacbb6c6c6afff3f702812
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c57e5b9819dfd16d709bcd6cb633301ed0829a66
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff15498ebaa49c5429a74e70a1951dede60cd14c