In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mac802154: fix data race and NULL deref on local->assoc_dev local->assoc_dev is shared between the association path and the association-response worker without common synchronization. mac802154_perform_association() stores the coordinator pointer and waits for a response. Its timeout and error paths clear the pointer and return to mac802154_associate(), which may then free the coordinator object. Meanwhile, mac802154_rx_mac_cmd_worker() may observe the associating bit and enter mac802154_process_association_resp(), which dereferences assoc_dev. The worker's bit test and the handler's pointer dereference are not atomic with r