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CVE Record

CVE-2024-26623: pds_core: Prevent race issues involving the adminq

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pds_core: Prevent race issues involving the adminq There are multiple paths that can result in using the pdsc's adminq. [1] pdsc_adminq_isr and the resulting work from queue_work(), i.e. pdsc_work_thread()->pdsc_process_adminq() [2] pdsc_adminq_post() When the device goes through reset via PCIe reset and/or a fw_down/fw_up cycle due to bad PCIe state or bad device state the adminq is destroyed and recreated. A NULL pointer dereference can happen if [1] or [2] happens after the adminq is already destroyed. In order to fix this, add some further state checks and implement reference counting for adminq uses. Reference counting was used because multiple threads can attempt to access the adminq at the same time via [1] or [2]. Additionally, multiple clients (i.e. pds-vfio-pci) can be using [2] at the same time. The adminq_refcnt is initialized to 1 when the adminq has been allocated and is ready to use. Users/clients of the adminq (i.e. [1] and [2]) will increment the refcnt when they are using the adminq. When the driver goes into a fw_down cycle it will set the PDSC_S_FW_DEAD bit and then wait for the adminq_refcnt to hit 1. Setting the PDSC_S_FW_DEAD before waiting will prevent any further adminq_refcnt increments. Waiting for the adminq_refcnt to hit 1 allows for any current users of the adminq to finish before the driver frees the adminq. Once the adminq_refcnt hits 1 the driver clears the refcnt to signify that the adminq is deleted and cannot be used. On the fw_up cycle the driver will once again initialize the adminq_refcnt to 1 allowing the adminq to be used again.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A race condition in the Linux pds_core driver can access its administrative queue after that queue is destroyed during device or firmware resets, causing a NULL pointer dereference. The supplied CVSS score is 7.8. Business risk is concentrated on Linux systems using the relevant PDS hardware and driver, particularly where device instability triggers resets.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority for infrastructure using the affected driver and hardware because reset-related races can disrupt kernel operation and the supplied CVSS rates impact highly. Expedite inventory and patching on virtualization, network, or other availability-sensitive hosts. Systems without applicable PDS devices are unlikely to reach the vulnerable path.

Technical view

Concurrent interrupt, worker, and adminq-post paths could retain access while PCIe reset or firmware down/up handling destroyed and recreated the adminq. The fix adds state checks and reference counting, blocks new users after firmware is marked dead, waits for existing users, and only then deletes the queue. The source directly establishes a NULL pointer dereference; broader impact comes from the supplied CVSS assessment.

Likely exposure

Potential exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels using the pds_core driver with applicable PDS devices. The bundle identifies affected releases including 6.4, 6.6.16, 6.7.4, and 6.8, but its version formatting is incomplete. Confirm distribution-specific package status and whether the driver and hardware are present.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes local access with low privileges, low complexity, and no user interaction. Trigger conditions involve PCIe reset or firmware down/up cycles during bad device or PCIe states. The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit.

Researcher notes

The vulnerable lifetime boundary is between concurrent adminq users and teardown during fw_down or PCIe reset. Review backports for state gating, prevention of new references after PDSC_S_FW_DEAD, draining existing references, and reinitialization during fw_up. The supplied records do not clearly establish exact fixed release boundaries, exploitability beyond the NULL dereference, or active exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fix for CVE-2024-26623.
  • Check distribution security advisories for the exact corrected package and reboot requirements.
  • Prioritize hosts where pds_core and applicable PDS hardware are actively used.
  • Reduce exposure to unstable device states until patching, following hardware and operating-system vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and identify systems using the pds_core driver and applicable PDS devices.
  • Verify the installed kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits or its vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for pds_core faults, NULL dereferences, firmware cycles, or PCIe resets.
  • Safely exercise approved device-reset recovery tests after patching and confirm the driver remains stable.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2024-26623 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
4Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-26623Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux01ba61b55b2041a39c54aefb3153c770dd59a0ef, 01ba61b55b2041a39c54aefb3153c770dd59a0ef, 01ba61b55b2041a39c54aefb3153c770dd59a0efunaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 6.6.16, 6.7.4, 6.8affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.