CVE-2026-90221

nfc: nci: fix use of uninitialized memory in CORE_INIT_RSP parsing

Published Sep 17, 2026 CVSS n/a EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

nfc: nci: fix use of uninitialized memory in CORE_INIT_RSP parsing

nci_core_init_rsp_packet_v1() and nci_core_init_rsp_packet_v2() parse
the CORE_INIT_RSP packet without validating that the skb contains
enough data. A malformed response (e.g. injected via virtual_ncidev)
can declare a large num_supported_rf_interfaces while providing
insufficient data, causing reads of uninitialized slab memory. This
is later used in nci_init_complete_req(), triggering a KMSAN
uninit-value warning.

Add skb length checks before accessing packet fields:
- Validate the skb has at least 1 byte for the status field.
- Validate the skb can hold the fixed-size header before parsing.
- In v2, bounds-check each variable-length rf_interface entry and its
extension parameters within the parsing loop.
- In v1, verify the skb is large enough for both the variable-length
rf_interfaces array and the trailing rsp_2 structure.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4817-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4841-1 linux security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6528-1 linux security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8961-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9022-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9023-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9024-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9025-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9026-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9029-1 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9039-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9040-1 Linux kernel (Low Latency NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9066-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9091-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA Tegra) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-457
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfc: nci: fix use of uninitialized memory in CORE_INIT_RSP parsing nci_core_init_rsp_packet_v1() and nci_core_init_rsp_packet_v2() parse the CORE_INIT_RSP packet without validating that the skb contains enough data. A malformed response (e.g. injected via virtual_ncidev) can declare a large num_supported_rf_interfaces while providing insufficient data, causing reads of uninitialized slab memory. This is later used in nci_init_complete_req(), triggering a KMSAN uninit-value warning. Add skb length checks before accessing packet fields: - Validate the skb has at least 1 byte for the status field. - Validate the skb can hold the fixed-size header before parsing. - In v2, bounds-check each variable-length rf_interface entry and its extension parameters within the parsing loop. - In v1, verify the skb is large enough for both the variable-length rf_interfaces array and the trailing rsp_2 structure.
Title nfc: nci: fix use of uninitialized memory in CORE_INIT_RSP parsing
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 8:59 AM
Reserved
Sep 11, 2026, 7:38 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 17, 2026, 5:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 9:19 AM