CVE-2024-58061 – This Linux kernel vulnerability in the mac80211... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-58061?

CVE-2024-58061 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This Linux kernel vulnerability in the mac80211 WiFi subsystem could allow a local attacker with debugfs access to deactivate all wireless network links, causing denial of service. It affects systems using vulnerable Linux kernel versions with the mac80211 subsystem enabled. The vulnerability requires local access to debugfs interface.

📋 TL;DR

This Linux kernel vulnerability in the mac80211 WiFi subsystem could allow a local attacker with debugfs access to deactivate all wireless network links, causing denial of service. It affects systems using vulnerable Linux kernel versions with the mac80211 subsystem enabled. The vulnerability requires local access to debugfs interface.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches exist in stable kernel trees

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Requires debugfs access and mac80211 subsystem enabled. Not all Linux systems use mac80211.

📦 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

Complete loss of wireless connectivity on affected systems, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.

🟠

Likely Case

Temporary wireless network disruption on systems where an attacker has local debugfs access.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if debugfs access is properly restricted or the system is patched.

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

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or malicious insiders could disrupt wireless connectivity.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires local access to debugfs interface. The vulnerability was discovered through code review and fixed proactively.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (commits listed in references)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18100796c11dfdea9101fdc95d2428b2093477ee

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict debugfs access

linux

Limit access to debugfs filesystem to prevent unauthorized users from exploiting the vulnerability

mount -o remount,noexec,nosuid,nodev /sys/kernel/debug
chmod 700 /sys/kernel/debug

Disable debugfs

linux

Completely disable debugfs if not required for system operation

umount /sys/kernel/debug
echo 'debugfs /sys/kernel/debug debugfs noauto 0 0' >> /etc/fstab

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls on debugfs directory (/sys/kernel/debug)
Monitor for unauthorized access attempts to debugfs interface

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if debugfs is mounted and accessible: 'mount | grep debugfs' and 'ls -la /sys/kernel/debug/'

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version against patched versions from distribution vendor, or verify debugfs write operations are properly validated

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unauthorized access to /sys/kernel/debug files
Kernel warnings related to mac80211 link deactivation

Network Indicators:

Sudden loss of wireless connectivity without apparent cause

SIEM Query:

source="/var/log/kern.log" AND "mac80211" AND ("deactivate" OR "WARN_ON")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-58061

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

EPSS Score: 0.05% exploit probability (15.8th percentile)

Published: March 6, 2025

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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