CVE-2024-49930
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an array out-of-bounds access vulnerability in the ath11k WiFi driver in the Linux kernel. An attacker could potentially exploit this to cause kernel memory corruption, leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution. This affects Linux systems using Qualcomm Atheros ath11k WiFi hardware.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with ath11k 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 →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 arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, system compromise, or persistent denial of service.
Likely Case
System crash (kernel panic) or instability when processing specific WiFi traffic patterns, resulting in denial of service.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if system has kernel hardening features (KASLR, SMAP, SMEP) and proper privilege separation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires sending crafted WiFi packets to trigger the specific code path. No public exploit code is known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 01b77f5ee11c89754fb836af8f76799d3b72ae2f, 0f26f26944035ec67546a944f182cbad6577a9c0, 4dd732893bd38cec51f887244314e2b47f0d658f, 6045ef5b4b00fee3629689f791992900a1c94009, 69f253e46af98af17e3efa3e5dfa72fcb7d1983d
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/01b77f5ee11c89754fb836af8f76799d3b72ae2f
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits
2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific patched kernel versions
3. Reboot system after kernel update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ath11k WiFi
linuxUnload the vulnerable ath11k driver module to prevent exploitation
sudo modprobe -r ath11k
sudo systemctl stop NetworkManager
sudo ifconfig wlan0 down
Network segmentation
allIsolate WiFi networks from critical systems and implement strict firewall rules
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable WiFi interfaces using ath11k hardware and use alternative network connections
- Implement strict network access controls and monitor for unusual WiFi traffic patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ath11k module is loaded: lsmod | grep ath11k AND check kernel version against patched versionsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits: uname -r AND check distribution security advisories📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- ath11k driver crash messages in dmesg
- System instability or crashes during WiFi operations
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WiFi packet patterns targeting ath11k hardware
- Increased WiFi driver error rates
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("ath11k" OR "kernel panic")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/01b77f5ee11c89754fb836af8f76799d3b72ae2f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f26f26944035ec67546a944f182cbad6577a9c0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4dd732893bd38cec51f887244314e2b47f0d658f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6045ef5b4b00fee3629689f791992900a1c94009
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/69f253e46af98af17e3efa3e5dfa72fcb7d1983d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/73e235728e515faccc104b0153b47d0f263b3344
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7a552bc2f3efe2aaf77a85cb34cdf4a63d81a1a7
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00002.html
