CVE-2024-57984 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
i3c: dw: Fix use-after-free in dw_i3c_master driver due to race condition
In dw_i3c_common_probe, &master->hj_work is bound with dw_i3c_hj_work. And dw_i3c_master_irq_handler can call dw_i3c_master_irq_handle_ibis function to start the work.
If we remove the module which will call dw_i3c_common_remove to make cleanup, it will free master->base through i3c_master_unregister while the work mentioned above will be used. The sequence of operations that may lead to a UAF bug is as follows:
CPU0 CPU1
| dw_i3c_hj_work dw_i3c_common_remove | i3c_master_unregister(&master->base) | device_unregister(&master->dev) | device_release | //free master->base | | i3c_master_do_daa(&master->base) | //use master->base
Fix it by ensuring that the work is canceled before proceeding with the cleanup in dw_i3c_common_remove.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-57984 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Linux kernel's DesignWare I3C master driver implementation. This flaw manifests in the dw_i3c_master driver where a race condition occurs between module removal operations and asynchronous work processing. The issue stems from the improper handling of work queue operations during device cleanup, creating a scenario where memory resources can be accessed after they have been freed, thereby compromising system stability and potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks.
The technical root cause lies in the improper synchronization between the module removal process and the execution of the dw_i3c_hj_work work queue. During normal operation, the dw_i3c_common_probe function establishes a binding between the master structure's hj_work field and the dw_i3c_hj_work handler. When interrupts occur, the dw_i3c_master_irq_handler function may invoke dw_i3c_master_irq_handle_ibis which schedules this work for execution. However, during module removal via dw_i3c_common_remove, the i3c_master_unregister function is called which eventually leads to device_unregister and device_release operations that free the master->base memory structure. The race condition emerges when the work queue execution occurs after the memory has been freed but before the cleanup is complete.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic race condition scenario that violates the fundamental principles of concurrent programming in kernel space. The operational impact extends beyond simple system instability, as attackers could potentially exploit this condition to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, particularly when the freed memory is reallocated for malicious purposes. The attack vector becomes more pronounced in environments where I3C devices are actively managed and where module loading/unloading cycles occur frequently.
The fix implemented addresses this vulnerability by ensuring that the work queue is properly canceled before proceeding with the cleanup operations in dw_i3c_common_remove. This approach follows established kernel development practices for preventing race conditions and memory safety issues, specifically aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. The mitigation strategy involves calling the cancel_work_sync function to ensure all pending work items are completed or canceled before memory deallocation occurs, thereby preventing the use-after-free scenario from occurring.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to embedded systems and device drivers that rely on similar work queue patterns for asynchronous processing. Systems utilizing DesignWare I3C master controllers in automotive, industrial, or networking applications could be particularly vulnerable, as these environments often require robust memory management and predictable behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in kernel drivers, especially when dealing with complex device management scenarios involving interrupt handling and work queue operations. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing proper kernel version management to prevent exploitation of this use-after-free condition that could lead to complete system compromise through kernel-level privilege escalation attacks.