Linux Kernel rtl8723bs CVE-2026-31626

Update to patched Linux kernel stable versions 6.12.83, 6.18.24, 6.19.14, 7.0.1 or later, depending on your kernel branch. Upstream fixes available in commits d5b8f5f8d6fc09a8af5ed139c688660f578ed732 (mainline), b487a7754d874230299d5a9c2710ec4df8b2ed8a, c2026c6b603ebec52f55015496703fe79077accf, and ef74ce5f0bc0e53ce702d8a794f3957884a26efc (stable branches) from https://git.kernel.org/stable/. If immediate patching is not feasible, disable the rtl8723bs driver via kernel module blacklist (add 'blacklist r8723bs' to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf) if not required for hardware operation - this eliminates attack surface but renders affected Realtek 8723BS Wi-Fi chipsets non-functional, requiring alternative network connectivity (Ethernet or USB Wi-Fi adapter). Alternatively, restrict wireless network access to trusted adjacent devices only and implement 802.11w management frame protection at the access point level, though this does not fully mitigate the driver-level memory handling issue. Network segmentation to isolate devices with vulnerable drivers reduces blast radius of potential DoS impact. Monitor kernel logs for rtl8723bs-related crashes or anomalies as potential exploitation indicators.