CVE-2021-38206

Name: CVE-2021-38206
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-08T20:15:07.32+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.27%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-38206 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The mac80211 subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.12.13, when a device supporting only 5 GHz is used, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference in the radiotap parser) by injecting a frame with 802.11a rates.. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The mac80211 subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.12.13, when a device supporting only 5 GHz is used, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference in the radiotap parser) by injecting a frame with 802.11a rates.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.27%

18.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 5.12.13

References

https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.12.13Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/bddc0c411a45d3718ac535a070f349be8eca8d48Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.12.13Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/bddc0c411a45d3718ac535a070f349be8eca8d48Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 8, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38206?

How severe is CVE-2021-38206?

CVE-2021-38206 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.27% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38206?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-38206?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST