CVE-2024-53059 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: iwlwifi: mvm: Fix response handling in iwl_mvm_send_recovery_cmd()
1. The size of the response packet is not validated. 2. The response buffer is not freed.
Resolve these issues by switching to iwl_mvm_send_cmd_status(), which handles both size validation and frees the buffer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-53059 resides within the linux kernel's iwlwifi wireless driver component, specifically within the mvm subsystem responsible for managing wireless network interfaces. This issue affects the iwl_mvm_send_recovery_cmd() function which handles recovery command operations for intel wireless network adapters. The flaw manifests in two critical areas that together create a potential security risk for systems utilizing affected wireless hardware. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation, specifically concerning buffer size validation. When the wireless driver processes recovery commands, it fails to properly validate the size of incoming response packets, creating an opportunity for malformed data to be processed without proper bounds checking.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the command handling mechanism where the driver does not perform adequate buffer management during recovery operations. The response buffer allocated for receiving command responses is not properly freed after processing, leading to potential memory leaks that can accumulate over time. This memory management failure represents a classic resource leak vulnerability that can degrade system performance and potentially create conditions for further exploitation. The lack of size validation means that oversized response packets could cause buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues, while the failure to free buffers creates persistent memory consumption that could eventually lead to system instability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499.004 for network disruption through resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory leaks to potentially compromise system stability and security. Systems running affected kernel versions with intel wireless adapters could experience progressive memory consumption that eventually impacts overall system performance. In high-usage scenarios or extended operation periods, the accumulation of unreleased buffers could lead to system slowdowns, application crashes, or even complete system hangs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments or embedded systems where memory resources are constrained and system reliability is critical. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to cause persistent resource exhaustion, effectively creating a denial-of-service condition that would impact wireless connectivity and potentially affect other system functions that depend on stable memory management.
The resolution implemented for this vulnerability involves transitioning from the vulnerable iwl_mvm_send_recovery_cmd() function to the more robust iwl_mvm_send_cmd_status() function. This change provides automatic size validation for response packets, ensuring that incoming data conforms to expected parameters before processing begins. The new function also automatically handles buffer deallocation, eliminating the memory leak condition that existed in the previous implementation. This remediation addresses both CWE-129 and CWE-401 issues by providing proper input validation and resource management. The fix aligns with security best practices recommended by the Linux kernel security team and demonstrates proper defensive programming techniques that prevent both buffer overflow conditions and resource leakage. The implementation change ensures that wireless recovery operations maintain proper memory hygiene while preserving the functional integrity of the wireless subsystem. Organizations should prioritize updating to kernel versions containing this fix to prevent potential exploitation and maintain system stability in wireless network environments.