# CVE-2026-98936: Linux kernel ath11k state tracking bug in hardware restart

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-98936-in-the-linux-kernel-the-following-vulnerability-has-been-resolved  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-23. Updated: 2026-10-23  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-98936 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-23

The ath11k WiFi driver for Qualcomm 802.11ax devices fails to reset its station counter during hardware restart, preventing new wireless devices from associating with the access point. After a restart, the driver incorrectly believes it has reached its maximum station limit and refuses legitimate connection attempts, effectively disabling the WiFi interface until reboot.

Technologies: [Linux kernel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/x-linux-kernel).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-98936 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-98936 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-98936?** Informational severity, published 23 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Linux kernel affected versions not explicitly stated in advisory.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-98936?** A patch was published on 2026-08-12: upstream commit merged Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-98936 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-98936?** Check whether you run Linux kernel at an affected version. 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

The ath11k driver's ath11k_mac_op_start() function resets most accounting variables during hardware restart but omits the ar->num_stations counter, causing it to retain stale values. When the counter reaches 128, the driver rejects new station association requests. This is a logic error in state initialization with no authentication or network precondition; any system experiencing hardware restart (e.g., driver reload, firmware crash recovery) is affected.

## Affected products

- Linux kernel affected versions not explicitly stated in advisory

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23: disclosed
- 2026-08-12: patched: upstream commit merged

## References

- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/60142eb2afda34508e640a3ff2a54c90e51525cc](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/60142eb2afda34508e640a3ff2a54c90e51525cc)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e0ad05ebc72fffba2bdf2400400902d94ed7272](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e0ad05ebc72fffba2bdf2400400902d94ed7272)

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