CVE-2024-42225
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses an information disclosure vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MediaTek MT76 WiFi driver. The vulnerability could allow attackers to read uninitialized kernel memory data from WiFi packets. Systems using affected MediaTek WiFi hardware with vulnerable kernel versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with MediaTek MT76 WiFi driver
📦 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 →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
Attackers could read sensitive kernel memory contents, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, passwords, or other sensitive data that could lead to privilege escalation or further system compromise.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of kernel memory contents, which could be used for reconnaissance or combined with other vulnerabilities for more severe attacks.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper network segmentation and kernel hardening, as the vulnerability requires local network access and specific hardware.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local network access to the WiFi interface and knowledge of the specific hardware/driver. No public exploits have been reported.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits: 22ea2a7f0b64d, 64f86337ccfe, 7f819a2f4fbc, dc7f14d00d0c, ff6b26be1303
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/22ea2a7f0b64d323625950414a4496520fb33657
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel. 4. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable affected WiFi interface
linuxTemporarily disable the MediaTek MT76 WiFi interface if not required
sudo ip link set wlan0 down
sudo nmcli radio wifi off
Use alternative network interface
linuxSwitch to wired Ethernet or different WiFi hardware if available
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate systems with vulnerable hardware
- Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns and implement intrusion detection
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if system uses MediaTek MT76 WiFi hardware: 'lspci | grep -i mediatek' or 'lsusb | grep -i mediatek'. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to one containing the fix commits. Check driver version: 'modinfo mt76'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel logs showing memory access errors
- Driver initialization failures
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WiFi packet patterns
- Excessive retransmissions on affected interfaces
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("mt76" OR "MediaTek") AND ("error" OR "warning" OR "panic")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/22ea2a7f0b64d323625950414a4496520fb33657
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f86337ccfe77fe3be5a9356b0dabde23fbb074
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7f819a2f4fbc510e088b49c79addcf1734503578
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc7f14d00d0c4c21898f3504607f4a31079065a2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff6b26be13032c5fbd6b6a0b24358f8eaac4f3af
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/22ea2a7f0b64d323625950414a4496520fb33657
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f86337ccfe77fe3be5a9356b0dabde23fbb074
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7f819a2f4fbc510e088b49c79addcf1734503578
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc7f14d00d0c4c21898f3504607f4a31079065a2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff6b26be13032c5fbd6b6a0b24358f8eaac4f3af
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
