CVE-2024-42268 – This CVE describes a missing lock in the Linux ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-42268?

CVE-2024-42268 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a missing lock in the Linux kernel's mlx5 driver during sync reset reload operations, which can trigger a kernel warning and potentially cause system instability. It affects systems using Mellanox network adapters with the mlx5 driver. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a missing lock in the Linux kernel's mlx5 driver during sync reset reload operations, which can trigger a kernel warning and potentially cause system instability. It affects systems using Mellanox network adapters with the mlx5 driver. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel mlx5 driver for Mellanox network adapters

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires mlx5 driver usage and sync reset reload operations to be triggered.

📦 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

Kernel panic or system crash due to race conditions during devlink operations, leading to denial of service.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel warning messages in system logs and potential temporary disruption of network operations during sync reset events.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact during devlink operations with proper locking in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to trigger, not remotely exploitable.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could trigger the condition, potentially causing service disruption.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires triggering specific sync reset reload conditions, typically requiring local access and specific driver operations.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 091268f3c27a5b6d7858a3bb2a0dbcc9cd26ddb5, 572f9caa9e7295f8c8822e4122c7ae8f1c412ff9, 5d07d1d40aabfd61bab21115639bd4f641db6002, 98884e89c90d077f6fe6ba18e6cf6f914642f04e

Vendor Advisory: https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable sync reset feature

linux

Prevent sync reset reload operations that trigger the vulnerability

echo 0 > /sys/class/net/<interface>/device/reset_sync

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local access to systems using mlx5 drivers
Monitor system logs for kernel warnings related to devlink operations

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if mlx5 driver is loaded: lsmod | grep mlx5

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commits and check dmesg for absence of devlink lock warnings

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel warnings about devl_assert_locked
WARNING messages in dmesg related to mlx5_sync_reset_reload_work

Network Indicators:

Temporary network disruption on mlx5 interfaces

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND "devl_assert_locked" OR "mlx5_sync_reset_reload_work"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-42268

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-667

Published: August 17, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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