CVE-2024-53074
📋 TL;DR
A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's iwlwifi driver prevents access points from restarting on certain Intel WiFi hardware. This affects Linux systems using Intel WiFi chipsets 9260 and earlier when operating as APs. The vulnerability causes resource exhaustion after AP stop/start cycles.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with iwlwifi 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 →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
Persistent denial of service for WiFi access point functionality, requiring system reboot to restore AP capabilities.
Likely Case
Inability to restart WiFi access point after stopping it, disrupting wireless network services.
If Mitigated
No impact if systems are not using affected Intel WiFi hardware or not configured as access points.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to stop/start AP functionality on affected hardware.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 3ed092997a004d68a3a5b0eeb94e71b69839d0f7 or 70ddf9ce1894c48dbbf10b0de51a95e4fb3dd376
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ed092997a004d68a3a5b0eeb94e71b69839d0f7
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify iwlwifi driver is loaded with patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AP mode on affected hardware
linuxPrevent use of vulnerable AP functionality on Intel 9260 and earlier WiFi chipsets
# Configure system to not use affected hardware as access point
# Use alternative WiFi hardware for AP functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Avoid stopping/starting AP functionality on affected Intel WiFi hardware
- Use alternative WiFi hardware for access point deployments
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if system has Intel WiFi chipset 9260 or earlier and kernel version before fix commitsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits and test AP stop/start functionality📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel logs showing iwlwifi driver errors
- Failed AP start attempts after previous AP stop
Network Indicators:
- WiFi AP becoming unavailable after restart attempts
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "iwlwifi" AND ("AP" OR "access point") AND ("fail" OR "error")