CVE-2024-49973 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
r8169: add tally counter fields added with RTL8125
RTL8125 added fields to the tally counter, what may result in the chip dma'ing these new fields to unallocated memory. Therefore make sure that the allocated memory area is big enough to hold all of the tally counter values, even if we use only parts of it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49973 affects the Linux kernel's r8169 network driver which manages Realtek RTL8125 Ethernet controllers. This issue stems from insufficient memory allocation during the tally counter implementation, creating a potential memory corruption scenario that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems utilizing Realtek RTL8125 network hardware where the driver fails to account for additional fields that were introduced in the RTL8125 chip's tally counter functionality. When the network driver attempts to DMA data from the hardware to memory, it may write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions with unpredictable consequences.
The technical flaw manifests in the driver's memory management approach where the allocated memory area for tally counter data does not adequately account for all possible fields that the RTL8125 chip may utilize. This creates a buffer overflow condition during DMA operations when the chip attempts to transfer data to memory locations that were not properly allocated, leading to potential memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though it more accurately represents a heap-based memory corruption scenario given the dynamic allocation context of network driver operations. The root cause lies in the driver's assumption that only a subset of tally counter fields would be utilized, while the actual hardware implementation may require additional memory space that was not provisioned in the allocation.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network infrastructure systems that rely on Realtek RTL8125 controllers, particularly in server environments where network stability and data integrity are paramount. An attacker could potentially exploit this memory corruption to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where the network driver operates with elevated privileges, as the memory corruption could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources. Additionally, the vulnerability could result in denial of service conditions where network operations become unstable or completely fail due to memory corruption, affecting network availability and service continuity.
Mitigation strategies should focus on updating the Linux kernel to versions that include the patched r8169 driver implementation, ensuring that memory allocation accounts for all potential tally counter fields as defined by the RTL8125 specification. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and verify that the updated driver properly allocates sufficient memory for all possible tally counter values, including any additional fields introduced by the RTL8125 chip. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and script injection, as exploitation could involve injecting malicious code through memory corruption, and T1499 for network denial of service, given the potential for disrupting network operations. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date security patches across all network infrastructure components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.