CVE-2024-27053 – This CVE describes a race condition vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-27053?

CVE-2024-27053 has a CVSS score of 9.1 (CRITICAL). This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's wilc1000 WiFi driver where improper RCU (Read-Copy-Update) usage during WiFi connection operations could lead to kernel memory corruption. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the wilc1000 driver are vulnerable, particularly IoT devices and embedded systems with Atmel SAMA5 hardware.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's wilc1000 WiFi driver where improper RCU (Read-Copy-Update) usage during WiFi connection operations could lead to kernel memory corruption. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the wilc1000 driver are vulnerable, particularly IoT devices and embedded systems with Atmel SAMA5 hardware.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with wilc1000 WiFi driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before fixes in stable releases (specific versions in git commits)

Operating Systems: Linux

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems using the wilc1000 driver, commonly found in embedded/IoT devices with Atmel/Microchip WiFi chips.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

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Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

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Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel memory corruption leading to system crash, denial of service, or potential privilege escalation to kernel mode execution.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel panics, or crashes when connecting to WiFi networks, particularly on embedded devices using the affected driver.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact or connection failures if proper RCU usage is enforced.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to trigger via WiFi connection operations.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be triggered by legitimate WiFi connection attempts or malicious local users.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires ability to trigger WiFi connection operations, typically through wpa_supplicant or similar tools.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions with commits: 205c50306acf58a335eb19fa84e40140f4fe814f, 4bfd20d5f5c62b5495d6c0016ee6933bd3add7ce, 5800ec78775c0cd646f71eb9bf8402fb794807de, 745003b5917b610352f52fe0d11ef658d6471ec2, b4bbf38c350acb6500cbe667b1e2e68f896e4b38

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/205c50306acf58a335eb19fa84e40140f4fe814f

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable wilc1000 driver

linux

Blacklist or disable the vulnerable driver module

echo 'blacklist wilc1000' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod wilc1000

Disable WiFi connectivity

linux

Turn off WiFi interface to prevent connection attempts

ip link set wlan0 down
rfkill block wifi

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable WiFi functionality on affected devices
Replace vulnerable hardware with alternative WiFi adapters

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if wilc1000 driver is loaded: lsmod | grep wilc1000 AND check kernel version: uname -r

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commits: git log --oneline | grep -E '205c50306acf|4bfd20d5f5c6|5800ec78775c|745003b5917b|b4bbf38c350a'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
RCU usage warnings in dmesg
wpa_supplicant crashes

Network Indicators:

Failed WiFi connection attempts
Unusual WiFi disconnections

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("RCU usage" OR "wilc1000" OR "suspicious rcu_dereference_check")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-27053

CVSS v3 Score: 9.1 (CRITICAL)

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

CWE: CWE-476

Published: May 1, 2024

Last Updated: April 8, 2025

🔗 References

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