CVE-2024-57989 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: mt76: mt7925: fix NULL deref check in mt7925_change_vif_links
In mt7925_change_vif_links() devm_kzalloc() may return NULL but this returned value is not checked.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-57989 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically affecting the mt7925 wireless driver implementation. This flaw exists in the mt76 wireless driver framework which supports various MediaTek wireless chipsets including the mt7925 model. The vulnerability stems from insufficient error handling in the mt7925_change_vif_links function where the devm_kzalloc() memory allocation routine can return a NULL pointer, yet this potential failure condition is not properly checked before subsequent operations. The issue resides in the wireless virtual interface management functionality that handles dynamic changes to virtual interface links, making it particularly concerning for systems relying on wireless network management and configuration changes. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that could potentially lead to system instability or denial of service conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the wireless subsystem attempts to configure or modify virtual interface links on devices using the mt7925 chipset. During normal operation, the mt7925_change_vif_links function allocates memory using devm_kzalloc() to manage virtual interface link structures, but fails to validate whether the allocation succeeded. When memory allocation fails, devm_kzalloc() returns NULL, but the code continues execution without proper NULL checking, leading to immediate NULL pointer dereference when subsequent operations attempt to access the invalid memory location. This error condition can occur during wireless interface configuration changes, channel switching, or link adaptation scenarios where the driver must dynamically adjust virtual interface parameters. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-476 which defines NULL pointer dereference as a common weakness in software development, particularly in kernel space where such errors can have severe system-wide implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-57989 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially compromise wireless network availability and system stability in affected Linux systems. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause immediate system panics or kernel oops messages, resulting in complete wireless functionality loss on affected devices. Systems utilizing MediaTek mt7925 wireless chipsets in enterprise environments, embedded devices, or mobile platforms may experience service disruption when wireless interface management operations are performed. The vulnerability affects any Linux kernel version containing the mt76 wireless driver framework with the specific mt7925 implementation, making it particularly relevant for network infrastructure equipment, IoT devices, and embedded systems that rely on MediaTek wireless solutions. The attack surface is limited to systems where wireless interface changes are actively managed, but the potential for denial of service makes this a significant concern for availability-critical deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-57989 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided kernel patches that introduce proper NULL pointer validation in the mt7925_change_vif_links function. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include the fix, which typically involves adding a simple conditional check after devm_kzalloc() calls to verify that memory allocation succeeded before proceeding with subsequent operations. The fix should be deployed across all affected systems, particularly those running wireless infrastructure services or embedded devices with MediaTek mt7925 chipsets. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect kernel oops messages or system panics that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates, as this vulnerability represents a clear risk to network availability and system stability. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which focuses on resource hijacking through denial of service attacks, making proper patching essential for maintaining system integrity and availability.