CVE-2024-49945 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/ncsi: Disable the ncsi work before freeing the associated structure
The work function can run after the ncsi device is freed, resulting in use-after-free bugs or kernel panic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49945 resides within the Linux kernel's network control and management subsystem, specifically affecting the NCSI (Network Controller Sideband Interface) implementation. This issue represents a critical use-after-free condition that can lead to system instability and potential privilege escalation. The NCSI protocol serves as a standardized interface for managing network controllers through sideband communication channels, commonly utilized in enterprise networking environments where remote management capabilities are essential for maintaining network infrastructure. The flaw manifests in the improper handling of work queue structures during device cleanup operations, creating a temporal window where kernel memory remains accessible after being marked for deallocation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a race condition in the NCSI subsystem's resource management logic. When an NCSI device is being torn down, the kernel fails to properly disable the associated work queue before proceeding with memory deallocation. This sequence allows the work function to execute asynchronously after the device structure has already been freed from memory, resulting in a use-after-free scenario where the kernel attempts to access memory that has been reclaimed. The work queue mechanism, which is designed to handle asynchronous operations in kernel space, continues to reference the freed memory location, potentially causing kernel panics, system crashes, or in worst-case scenarios, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-49945 extends beyond simple system instability, as it can be exploited to compromise entire network infrastructure management systems. In enterprise environments where NCSI is actively used for remote server management, this vulnerability creates a potential attack vector for adversaries seeking to gain elevated privileges or cause denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with NCSI support, particularly those implementing network controller management features, and can be triggered through normal network operations or by manipulating NCSI communication protocols. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to execute code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries and potentially gaining complete control over affected systems. The timing aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can occur during normal device operation, making detection and prevention challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49945 require immediate kernel updates from vendors who have addressed this specific use-after-free condition. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions properly ensures that all pending work items are disabled and drained before memory deallocation occurs, following established kernel development practices for resource management. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running network infrastructure components that utilize NCSI functionality. Additionally, monitoring for unusual network behavior or system crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts should be implemented. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in kernel space programming and highlights the need for thorough testing of asynchronous operations during resource cleanup processes. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers who might attempt to exploit this vulnerability in the interim period before full patch deployment.