# CVE-2026-46307: Linux Kernel out-of-bounds write in ath5k Wi-Fi driver

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-46307-linux-kernel-out-of-bounds-write-in-ath5k-wi-fi-driver  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-08. Updated: 2026-06-08  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-46307 · Severity: info · CVSS 2.1 · Published 2026-06-08

A vulnerability was identified in the Linux kernel's ath5k Wi-Fi driver where the system incorrectly writes data outside of its intended memory boundaries. This occurs during wireless transmission tasks and results in a minor memory overwrite. While the practical impact is considered negligible, it represents a technical flaw in how the driver handles wireless data rates.

Vendors: [Linux Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/linux-foundation).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-46307 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-46307 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-46307?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 2.1, published 8 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Linux Linux kernel ath5k driver.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-46307?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-46307 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-46307?** Check whether you run Linux Foundation Linux kernel (ath5k driver). Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An array-index-out-of-bounds access exists in the ath5k driver within 'drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c'. The vulnerability occurs in the 'ath5k_tx_frame_completed' function when the driver attempts to set a sentinel value (idx = -1) at an index calculated as 'ts->ts_final_idx + 1'. On certain hardware like the 5212, 'ts_final_idx' can be 3, causing an access at index 4 of an array with a maximum size of 4 (IEEE80211_TX_MAX_RATES). This results in an out-of-bounds write that overwrites the adjacent 'ack_signal' member in the 'info->status' structure. The fix introduces a bounds check to ensure the index is within the array limits before writing.

## Affected products

- Linux Linux kernel ath5k driver

## Timeline

- 2025-12-09: disclosed: Vulnerability reported and patch authored
- 2026-06-08: advisory: CVE published in NVD dataset

## References

- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/568173ad9bd0b46cc6cd937dea8791e9b5eefa57](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/568173ad9bd0b46cc6cd937dea8791e9b5eefa57)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/744c19e266b0d2628c5951439195dcef27eadacf](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/744c19e266b0d2628c5951439195dcef27eadacf)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/83226c71af53fb9b3cad40cb9a9a79f36d68c020](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/83226c71af53fb9b3cad40cb9a9a79f36d68c020)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9dd6aae4bc7bfa11088d928670a3315eae542769](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9dd6aae4bc7bfa11088d928670a3315eae542769)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d6869537013b1f21b292342752d97868b79b5934](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d6869537013b1f21b292342752d97868b79b5934)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d748603f12baff112caa3ab7d39f50100f010dbd](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d748603f12baff112caa3ab7d39f50100f010dbd)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e9f1081bc775146156def0dbc821b92f35d56afb](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e9f1081bc775146156def0dbc821b92f35d56afb)