CVE-2024-53088 – A race condition in the Linux kernel's i40e net... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-53088?

CVE-2024-53088 has a CVSS score of 4.7 (MEDIUM). A race condition in the Linux kernel's i40e network driver allows concurrent threads to corrupt MAC/VLAN filters, potentially causing memory leaks and system instability. This affects systems using Intel Ethernet controllers with the i40e driver under heavy network load with multiple virtual functions. The vulnerability requires local access and specific concurrent operations to trigger.

📋 TL;DR

A race condition in the Linux kernel's i40e network driver allows concurrent threads to corrupt MAC/VLAN filters, potentially causing memory leaks and system instability. This affects systems using Intel Ethernet controllers with the i40e driver under heavy network load with multiple virtual functions. The vulnerability requires local access and specific concurrent operations to trigger.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with i40e driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (check specific stable kernel versions)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires Intel Ethernet controllers using i40e driver with VFs enabled and concurrent MAC/VLAN filter modifications.

📦 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...

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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 →

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 system crash, denial of service, or potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🟠

Likely Case

Network filter corruption causing packet loss, VF communication failures, and system instability requiring reboot.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact or no noticeable effect if proper kernel hardening and access controls are implemented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access and specific concurrent operations on network interfaces.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could affect virtualization hosts and network appliances using i40e drivers under heavy load.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH

Exploitation requires local access, specific timing conditions, and concurrent operations on network interfaces.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 262dc6ea5f1eb18c4d08ad83d51222d0dd0dd42a and related fixes

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/262dc6ea5f1eb18c4d08ad83d51222d0dd0dd42a

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify i40e driver version includes the race condition fix.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Limit concurrent VF operations

linux

Reduce concurrent MAC/VLAN filter modifications on virtual functions

# Implement rate limiting or serialization for VF configuration operations
# Monitor and limit simultaneous network configuration changes

Disable VFs if not needed

linux

Reduce attack surface by disabling unused virtual functions

# Check VF status: ip link show
# Disable VFs in BIOS/UEFI or driver configuration

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from modifying network configurations
Monitor system logs for i40e driver errors and implement automated alerting for potential exploitation attempts

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and i40e driver source for the fix commits: uname -r && grep -r 'I40E_FILTER_NEW_SYNC' /usr/src/linux/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/

Check Version:

uname -r && modinfo i40e | grep version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel includes fix commits: git log --oneline | grep -E '262dc6ea5f1eb18c4d08ad83d51222d0dd0dd42a|6e046f4937474bc1b9fa980c1ad8f3253fc638f6'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

dmesg errors containing 'Error I40E_AQ_RC_ENOSPC adding RX filters on VF'
Kernel panic or oops messages related to i40e driver
Network interface errors or unexpected VF behavior

Network Indicators:

Sudden VF communication failures
Increased packet loss on i40e interfaces
Unusual network configuration changes

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("i40e" AND ("ENOSPC" OR "panic" OR "oops"))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53088

CVSS v3 Score: 4.7 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-362

Published: November 19, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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