CVE-2024-42225 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: mt76: replace skb_put with skb_put_zero
Avoid potentially reusing uninitialized data
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42225 affects the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically within the mt76 driver implementation that manages MediaTek wireless network adapters. This issue resides in the wireless device driver layer where memory management operations are performed during packet processing. The flaw manifests in how the driver handles socket buffer (skb) operations when processing incoming wireless frames, creating potential security implications for systems running affected kernel versions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability involves the improper use of the skb_put function within the mt76 wireless driver implementation. The driver uses skb_put to append data to socket buffers without ensuring proper initialization of the appended memory regions. This function simply advances the data pointer of the socket buffer but does not zero out the newly allocated space, potentially leaving uninitialized memory contents from previous operations accessible to subsequent processing. When the driver processes wireless frames, this uninitialized data could contain sensitive information or system state that might be inadvertently exposed during packet handling operations.
This vulnerability represents a classic case of uninitialized memory exposure that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe consequences depending on the system context. The operational impact extends across all Linux systems utilizing MediaTek wireless adapters through the mt76 driver, affecting both desktop and embedded systems. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where wireless communications handle sensitive data or where the uninitialized memory might contain cryptographic keys, session information, or other confidential system data. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to reconstruct memory contents from previous operations, leading to privilege escalation or data leakage scenarios.
The mitigation strategy involves replacing the existing skb_put function calls with skb_put_zero operations throughout the mt76 driver codebase. This change ensures that any newly appended memory within socket buffers is explicitly zeroed before use, eliminating the risk of uninitialized data exposure. The fix aligns with security best practices for memory management in kernel space and addresses the underlying CWE-119 weakness related to improper initialization of memory. This remediation approach follows the principle of least privilege and data sanitization, preventing potential information leakage through uninitialized memory regions. Organizations should prioritize applying this kernel update to protect against potential exploitation, particularly in environments where wireless communications handle sensitive data or where system security is paramount. The fix demonstrates proper adherence to secure coding practices and represents a defensive measure against memory-related vulnerabilities that could be leveraged in advanced persistent threat scenarios.