CVE-2024-43881·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: change DMA direction while mapping reinjected packets For fragmented packets, ath12k reassembles each fragment as a normal packet and then reinjects it into HW ring. In this case, the DMA direction should be DMA_TO_DEVICE, not DMA_FROM_DEVICE. Otherwise, an invalid payload may be reinjected into the HW and subsequently delivered to the host. Given that arbitrary memory can be allocated to the skb buffer, knowledge about the data contained in the reinjected buffer is lacking. Consequently, there’s a risk of private information being leaked. Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.1.1-00209-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.10.3
- Published
- 2024-08-21
Affected versions
From: 6.7
Until: 6.10.3
Fixed in: 6.10.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.10.3 or later to resolve this DMA direction vulnerability in ath12k WiFi driver packet reinjection. The vulnerability allows corrupted or unintended packet data to be reinjected into hardware rings, potentially leading to information disclosure. Applying the security patch prevents misuse of DMA_FROM_DEVICE during packet reassembly operations.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r (should be 6.10.3 or higher if patched)
- Verify ath12k driver is loaded: lsmod | grep ath12k (returns module info if present)
- Check if vulnerable kernel range is installed: if uname -r | grep -E '6\.(7|8|9|10\.[0-2])'; then echo 'VULNERABLE'; fi
- Confirm patch applied by checking kernel build: cat /proc/version | grep -i 'ubuntu\|debian\|rhel' and cross-reference with known patched builds for your distribution
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-43881?
CVE-2024-43881 is a DMA direction flaw in the Linux kernel's ath12k WiFi driver where fragmented packets are reinjected using incorrect DMA mapping direction, potentially exposing kernel memory to remote access or device manipulation.
Is CVE-2024-43881 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-43881 is not currently listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-43881?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.10.2 are vulnerable; kernel 6.10.3 and later versions contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-43881?
Run 'uname -r' and check if the kernel version falls between 6.7 and 6.10.2, then verify ath12k module presence with 'lsmod | grep ath12k'.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-43881?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-43881 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2024-43881. Free for 1 server.
Get started free