CVE-2024-43871 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
devres: Fix memory leakage caused by driver API devm_free_percpu()
It will cause memory leakage when use driver API devm_free_percpu() to free memory allocated by devm_alloc_percpu(), fixed by using devres_release() instead of devres_destroy() within devm_free_percpu().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-43871 represents a critical memory management issue within the Linux kernel's device resource management subsystem. This flaw specifically affects the interaction between two driver API functions: devm_free_percpu() and devm_alloc_percpu(). The problem manifests as a memory leak that occurs when drivers utilize these functions in their resource management workflows, creating a persistent degradation in system memory utilization that can ultimately impact overall system stability and performance.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper use of kernel resource management functions within the device driver framework. When drivers call devm_free_percpu() to release memory previously allocated with devm_alloc_percpu(), the implementation incorrectly employs devres_destroy() instead of the appropriate devres_release() function. This function call mismatch creates a scenario where allocated memory resources are not properly tracked and released from the device resource management system, resulting in memory leaks that accumulate over time and can lead to system resource exhaustion. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-404, which describes improper resource management, specifically memory leaks in kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as it affects the reliability and longevity of systems running affected kernel versions. Memory leaks that persist through system operation can lead to progressive degradation of system performance, potentially causing system instability, application crashes, or even complete system hangs under sustained load conditions. The issue is particularly concerning in embedded systems, servers, and long-running applications where memory management efficiency is critical for maintaining consistent performance and availability. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to create resource exhaustion conditions that could lead to denial of service scenarios, making this a significant concern for system administrators and security professionals.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-43871 focus primarily on updating to kernel versions that contain the fix, which specifically addresses the function call mismatch by replacing devres_destroy() with devres_release() within the devm_free_percpu() implementation. System administrators should prioritize applying the patched kernel releases as soon as possible, particularly in production environments where memory resource constraints could have severe operational impacts. Additionally, monitoring systems for unusual memory consumption patterns and implementing regular resource utilization audits can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability before it leads to system instability. The fix aligns with the ATT&CK framework's resource exhaustion tactics, specifically targeting the T1499.004 technique related to resource exhaustion in kernel space. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security fixes across their infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions to prevent memory management issues that can compromise system integrity and availability.