CVE-2024-41096 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the L... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-41096?

CVE-2024-41096 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's PCI/MSI subsystem that allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. It affects Linux systems with PCI devices using MSI interrupts. The vulnerability occurs during error handling when MSI descriptor cleanup happens before unmasking operations.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's PCI/MSI subsystem that allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. It affects Linux systems with PCI devices using MSI interrupts. The vulnerability occurs during error handling when MSI descriptor cleanup happens before unmasking operations.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches exist for multiple stable branches (see references).

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires PCI devices with MSI interrupt capability; many servers and workstations are affected.

📦 What is this software?

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

Local privilege escalation to kernel mode, system crash, or arbitrary code execution leading to complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially leading to privilege escalation in sophisticated attacks.

🟢

If Mitigated

System remains stable with proper patching; unpatched systems risk crashes or exploitation.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to exploit, not directly reachable from network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or malicious users could exploit this to escalate privileges or crash systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and knowledge of kernel exploitation techniques; use-after-free vulnerabilities are often exploitable for privilege escalation.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with fixes (see git.kernel.org references)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ae40b2d0a5de6b045504098e365d4fdff5bbeba

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable MSI for PCI devices

linux

Disable Message Signaled Interrupts for PCI devices via kernel parameters

Add 'pci=nomsi' to kernel boot parameters in GRUB configuration

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems with PCI devices
Implement strict privilege separation and limit users who can load kernel modules

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel.org; examine if system has PCI devices with MSI enabled.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version matches patched version and check that 'pci=nomsi' is not required for system stability.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
KFENCE use-after-free reports in kernel logs
PCI/MSI related error messages

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("use-after-free" OR "UAF" OR "KFENCE" OR "msi_capability_init")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-41096

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-416

Published: July 29, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2024-41096, you might also want to check these: