CVE-2024-53188
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ath12k wireless driver. When an error occurs during device initialization, the driver releases allocated memory without resetting its tracking pointers. If the device is subsequently unbound, a second cleanup attempt triggers an invalid memory access (NULL pointer dereference). A local user could exploit this flaw to crash the operating system, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).
Mitigation
To mitigate this vulnerability, prevent the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver module (ath12k) from being loaded on the system.
1. Create a configuration file to prevent the module from loading:
echo "install ath12k /bin/true" > /etc/modprobe.d/ath12k.conf
2. If the module is currently loaded, unload it:
modprobe -r ath12k_pci ath12k
Caveats: Disabling this module prevents the operating system from initializing and using Qualcomm ath12k wireless network adapters. A system reboot may be required if the module is currently in use or cannot be unloaded dynamically.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.5 | 5.5 | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | None | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
