Moderate Security Vulnerability in hostapd: Denial of Service via Malformed Wi-Fi 7 Association Request
Summary
ALSA-2026:85276: Moderate: hostapd security update. Affects hostapd versions < 2.11-3.el10_2. Fixed in 2.11-3.el10_2. How to fix ↓
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Background
hostapd is a user space daemon designed for managing access points and authentication servers. It implements IEEE 802.11 access point management, IEEE 802.1X/WPA/WPA2/EAP Authenticators, and RADIUS authentication. As a backend component, hostapd operates in the background, controlling authentication processes and supporting various frontend programs, including a text-based interface called hostapd_cli.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-58374 allows for a Denial of Service (DoS) attack through a malformed Wi-Fi 7 Multi-Link Operation association request. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker to disrupt the normal functioning of the hostapd service, potentially leading to service outages and impacting network availability. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of specific requests, which can overwhelm the service and cause it to crash.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.11-3.el10_2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo dnf update hostapdTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can limit access to the hostapd service by implementing firewall rules to restrict incoming association requests from untrusted sources. This can help mitigate the risk of exploitation until the package is updated.
Conclusion
The hostapd security vulnerability CVE-2026-58374 poses a moderate risk of Denial of Service attacks through malformed requests. Users are advised to update to the latest patched version to secure their systems and maintain network integrity.
See every vulnerability recorded for hostapd →
FAQ
hostapd is a daemon for managing access points and authentication servers, implementing various wireless networking standards.
CVE-2026-58374 refers to a security vulnerability in hostapd that allows for Denial of Service attacks via malformed Wi-Fi 7 association requests.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to service outages, affecting network availability and user access.
It is recommended to regularly check for updates and apply them promptly to mitigate the risk of vulnerabilities.
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