CVE-2024-58061 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: mac80211: prohibit deactivating all links
In the internal API this calls this is a WARN_ON, but that should remain since internally we want to know about bugs that may cause this. Prevent deactivating all links in the debugfs write directly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-58061 addresses a critical issue within the Linux kernel's mac80211 wireless subsystem that could lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. This flaw specifically relates to the management of wireless network links within the kernel's wireless networking framework, where improper handling of link deactivation could result in complete wireless functionality failure. The vulnerability manifests when attempting to deactivate all wireless links through the debugfs interface, which should be prevented to maintain system integrity and operational continuity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the mac80211 subsystem's internal API handling where a WARN_ON condition is triggered when all wireless links are deactivated. This warning mechanism, while present for internal debugging purposes, does not adequately prevent the dangerous operation from occurring. The issue occurs because the debugfs write interface lacks proper validation to prevent the deactivation of all active wireless links, which could leave the system without any functional wireless connectivity. This represents a fundamental flaw in access control and input validation within the wireless subsystem's user-space interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple connectivity issues, as it could potentially lead to complete wireless network service disruption in systems relying on mac80211 for wireless operations. When all wireless links are deactivated, the system loses its ability to communicate wirelessly, which could affect critical infrastructure components, embedded systems, or devices that depend on wireless connectivity for their operation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where wireless communication is essential for system functionality, as it could result in complete service outages or require manual intervention to restore wireless capabilities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation at the debugfs interface level to prevent the deactivation of all wireless links, ensuring that at least one link remains active during operations. The fix addresses the issue by directly preventing the problematic write operations through the debugfs interface, thereby protecting the kernel's wireless subsystem from potentially catastrophic link deactivation scenarios. This aligns with security best practices for preventing denial of service conditions in kernel space operations, as outlined in the CWE-119 category for memory safety issues and the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques. The solution reinforces the principle of least privilege and input validation, ensuring that system operations maintain integrity while preserving necessary debugging capabilities through proper error handling mechanisms.