CVE-2024-50005 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mac802154: Fix potential RCU dereference issue in mac802154_scan_worker
In the `mac802154_scan_worker` function, the `scan_req->type` field was accessed after the RCU read-side critical section was unlocked. According to RCU usage rules, this is illegal and can lead to unpredictable behavior, such as accessing memory that has been updated or causing use-after-free issues.
This possible bug was identified using a static analysis tool developed by myself, specifically designed to detect RCU-related issues.
To address this, the `scan_req->type` value is now stored in a local variable `scan_req_type` while still within the RCU read-side critical section. The `scan_req_type` is then used after the RCU lock is released, ensuring that the type value is safely accessed without violating RCU rules.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2024-50005 represents a critical race condition within the Linux kernel's mac802154 subsystem, specifically affecting the wireless networking stack's handling of IEEE 802.15.4 personal area network operations. This issue manifests in the `mac802154_scan_worker` function where improper RCU (Read-Copy-Update) synchronization leads to potential memory safety violations. The mac802154 subsystem is responsible for managing low-power wireless communication protocols commonly used in IoT devices and sensor networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for embedded systems and industrial control environments. The flaw directly violates established kernel programming practices and can result in system instability, data corruption, or potentially exploitable memory access patterns that could be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of RCU read-side critical sections within the wireless scanning worker function. According to CWE-367 and the Linux kernel's RCU documentation, accessing data structures outside of their designated critical sections creates a window for race conditions where the data may be modified or freed while being accessed. The specific flaw occurs when `scan_req->type` is accessed after the RCU read lock has been released, creating a scenario where the memory location could have been reallocated or modified. This violates fundamental RCU usage principles that mandate all data access within a critical section must occur while holding the appropriate synchronization primitives. The static analysis tool used to identify this issue demonstrates the sophistication of modern automated vulnerability detection systems that can catch subtle concurrency problems in kernel code that might otherwise remain undetected during manual code reviews.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially affecting the stability of wireless networking operations in Linux-based systems. Systems utilizing IEEE 802.15.4 protocols for wireless communication, including industrial IoT deployments, smart grid infrastructure, and embedded wireless devices, could experience unexpected service disruptions or system crashes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could enable privilege escalation or denial-of-service conditions that might be exploited to compromise the integrity of wireless network operations. The use-after-free nature of the potential issue means that attackers could potentially manipulate the memory layout to execute arbitrary code or cause system panics, particularly in environments where wireless scanning is performed continuously or under high load conditions. This vulnerability affects the broader Linux kernel ecosystem and could potentially be exploited in environments where wireless network management is critical to system operation.
The fix implemented for CVE-2024-50005 demonstrates proper kernel programming practices by storing the `scan_req->type` value in a local variable within the RCU read-side critical section before releasing the lock. This approach ensures that all data access occurs within appropriate synchronization boundaries and prevents the use-after-free conditions that could lead to system instability. The solution aligns with established kernel development guidelines and RCU best practices, ensuring that memory safety is maintained throughout the entire execution path. System administrators should prioritize applying this kernel update across all affected systems, particularly those running wireless networking services or embedded systems that rely on IEEE 802.15.4 protocol support. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous static analysis and code review processes in kernel development, as well as the need for comprehensive testing of concurrent code paths that handle network operations and memory management in real-time systems.