CVE-2024-42113 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: txgbe: initialize num_q_vectors for MSI/INTx interrupts
When using MSI/INTx interrupts, wx->num_q_vectors is uninitialized. Thus there will be kernel panic in wx_alloc_q_vectors() to allocate queue vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42113 resides within the Linux kernel's network driver subsystem, specifically affecting the txgbe driver implementation. This issue represents a critical initialization flaw that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The txgbe driver is responsible for managing Intel 82599 Ethernet controllers and other compatible network hardware, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems relying on these network interfaces. The flaw manifests during interrupt handling operations when the driver fails to properly initialize a critical data structure member before its usage.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper initialization of the num_q_vectors field within the wx (wide e1000) structure. When the network driver operates under MSI/INTx interrupt modes, it relies on this uninitialized variable to determine how many queue vectors to allocate during the wx_alloc_q_vectors() function call. This uninitialized memory value can contain arbitrary data from previous operations or memory corruption, leading to unpredictable behavior during resource allocation. The vulnerability is classified as a classic uninitialized variable issue that falls under CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables in security-sensitive contexts. The specific nature of this flaw means that any system utilizing MSI/INTx interrupt handling for txgbe network interfaces becomes vulnerable to potential kernel panics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it can result in complete system crashes and service disruption across network-dependent applications. When a kernel panic occurs during queue vector allocation, the entire system becomes unresponsive, requiring manual intervention or reboot to restore normal operations. This vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions that include the affected txgbe driver code, particularly those implementing Intel 82599 network controllers or compatible hardware. The attack surface is significant for enterprise environments, cloud infrastructure, and embedded systems that rely on reliable network connectivity and may be targeted for availability attacks. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt network services through controlled exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42113 primarily focus on applying the relevant kernel security patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers and hardware vendors. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include the fix that properly initializes the num_q_vectors field before it is utilized in interrupt handling paths. Additionally, organizations can implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual system behavior or kernel panic events that might indicate exploitation attempts. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, disabling MSI/INTx interrupt modes in favor of MSI-X interrupts can serve as a temporary workaround, though this approach may impact performance characteristics. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors targeting vulnerable network interfaces. The fix implemented by the kernel maintainers addresses the core initialization issue by ensuring proper value assignment to num_q_vectors before it is referenced during queue vector allocation operations, thereby preventing the kernel panic condition that would otherwise occur.