CVE-2024-42112 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: txgbe: free isb resources at the right time
When using MSI/INTx interrupt, the shared interrupts are still being handled in the device remove routine, before free IRQs. So isb memory is still read after it is freed. Thus move wx_free_isb_resources() from txgbe_close() to txgbe_remove(). And fix the improper isb free action in txgbe_open() error handling path.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42112 affects the Linux kernel's txgbe network driver implementation, specifically addressing a critical resource management issue within interrupt handling mechanisms. This flaw exists in the Intel 10 Gigabit Ethernet driver that manages network interface cards using MSI or INTx interrupt modes. The core problem manifests when shared interrupts are processed during device removal operations, creating a temporal window where memory resources become invalid before all interrupt handlers complete their execution cycles. The vulnerability stems from improper ordering of resource deallocation operations within the driver's lifecycle management, particularly concerning interrupt service buffer (ISB) memory management.
The technical implementation flaw occurs due to the incorrect sequence of operations during driver cleanup procedures. When the txgbe_close() function executes, it prematurely calls wx_free_isb_resources() before the txgbe_remove() routine has completed its interrupt release operations. This creates a race condition where interrupt handlers may still attempt to access memory locations that have already been freed, leading to potential memory corruption or system instability. The issue is compounded by inadequate error handling in the txgbe_open() function, where improper ISB resource cleanup occurs during failure scenarios, leaving system resources in an inconsistent state. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-415 Double Free and CWE-416 Use After Free categories, as it involves accessing memory after it has been freed and potentially causing system crashes or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, potentially enabling malicious actors to exploit the resource management flaw for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by triggering specific network operations that cause the driver to enter error states, thereby invoking the flawed resource cleanup paths. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with the txgbe driver implementation, particularly those utilizing Intel 10 Gigabit Ethernet hardware in environments where shared interrupts are configured. This scenario commonly occurs in data center environments, server farms, and high-performance computing clusters where multiple devices share interrupt lines to optimize system resources. The timing aspect of this flaw makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during normal network operations or during system maintenance activities when device removal occurs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42112 require immediate kernel updates from vendors who have implemented the fix for this specific resource management issue. System administrators should prioritize patching affected Linux distributions, particularly those running kernel versions that include the txgbe driver with the corrected interrupt handling sequence. The fix involves reordering the resource deallocation operations by moving wx_free_isb_resources() from txgbe_close() to txgbe_remove() and implementing proper error handling in the txgbe_open() function to prevent improper ISB resource cleanup during error conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual interrupt handling patterns or memory access violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should review interrupt configuration settings to minimize the use of shared interrupts where possible, reducing the attack surface for this particular vulnerability. The fix addresses fundamental issues in the driver's interrupt service routine management and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and system modification through kernel-level vulnerabilities.