CVE-2024-49857 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: iwlwifi: mvm: set the cipher for secured NDP ranging
The cipher pointer is not set, but is derefereced trying to set its content, which leads to a NULL pointer dereference. Fix it by pointing to the cipher parameter before dereferencing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49857 affects the Linux kernel's wireless networking subsystem, specifically within the iwlwifi driver module responsible for Intel wireless network adapters. This issue resides in the Multi-Visualization Manager (MVM) component that handles advanced wireless features including neighbor discovery protocol (NDP) ranging functionality. The flaw represents a critical NULL pointer dereference condition that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service scenarios within wireless networking operations. The vulnerability manifests when attempting to configure security parameters for secured NDP ranging communications, which are essential for location-based services and wireless network optimization features.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper pointer initialization within the wireless driver's security configuration handling code. During the process of setting up encrypted NDP ranging communications, the driver attempts to dereference a cipher pointer without first ensuring that the pointer has been properly initialized to point to valid memory location. This classic programming error creates a scenario where the kernel attempts to access memory at address zero, resulting in an immediate system crash or kernel panic. The issue falls under the category of improper null pointer dereference, which is categorized as CWE-476 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless subsystem's ability to properly configure security parameters for neighbor discovery protocol communications, which are fundamental to modern wireless networking protocols.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-49857 extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially affecting wireless network connectivity and device functionality in environments where secured NDP ranging is utilized. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to induce denial of service conditions on wireless devices running affected kernel versions, particularly impacting enterprise and mobile devices that rely on advanced wireless networking features. The vulnerability is especially concerning in environments where wireless network management systems depend on neighbor discovery and ranging capabilities for location services, mesh networking, or wireless infrastructure management. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader network disruption campaigns targeting wireless infrastructure components. The vulnerability affects systems using Intel wireless network adapters that implement the iwlwifi driver with MVM support, including various laptop models, enterprise wireless access points, and mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49857 primarily involve applying the official kernel security patch released by the Linux kernel development team, which properly initializes the cipher pointer before attempting to dereference it. System administrators should prioritize updating kernel versions to include the fix, particularly in environments where wireless network stability is critical for operations. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual wireless network behavior or frequent system crashes may help identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in kernel space operations and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of security features in wireless networking drivers. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of wireless network disruptions and maintain backup connectivity methods. Security teams should monitor for any related vulnerabilities in wireless networking components and ensure that wireless infrastructure devices receive regular security updates to maintain robust protection against similar memory corruption issues.