CVE-2024-35809: PCI/PM: Drain runtime-idle callbacks before driver removal
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
PCI/PM: Drain runtime-idle callbacks before driver removal
A race condition between the .runtime_idle() callback and the .remove()
callback in the rtsx_pcr PCI driver leads to a kernel crash due to an
unhandled page fault [1].
The problem is that rtsx_pci_runtime_idle() is not expected to be running
after pm_runtime_get_sync() has been called, but the latter doesn't really
guarantee that. It only guarantees that the suspend and resume callbacks
will not be running when it returns.
However, if a .runtime_idle() callback is already running when
pm_runtime_get_sync() is called, the latter will notice that the runtime PM
status of the device is RPM_ACTIVE and it will return right away without
waiting for the former to complete. In fact, it cannot wait for
.runtime_idle() to complete because it may be called from that callback (it
arguably does not make much sense to do that, but it is not strictly
prohibited).
Thus in general, whoever is providing a .runtime_idle() callback needs
to protect it from running in parallel with whatever code runs after
pm_runtime_get_sync(). [Note that .runtime_idle() will not start after
pm_runtime_get_sync() has returned, but it may continue running then if it
has started earlier.]
One way to address that race condition is to call pm_runtime_barrier()
after pm_runtime_get_sync() (not before it, because a nonzero value of the
runtime PM usage counter is necessary to prevent runtime PM callbacks from
being invoked) to wait for the .runtime_idle() callback to complete should
it be running at that point. A suitable place for doing that is in
pci_device_remove() which calls pm_runtime_get_sync() before removing the
driver, so it may as well call pm_runtime_barrier() subsequently, which
will prevent the race in question from occurring, not just in the rtsx_pcr
driver, but in any PCI drivers providing .runtime_idle() callbacks.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-35809 is a Linux kernel race condition that can crash the system during PCI driver removal and runtime power management. The main business risk is local denial of service, not data theft. It matters most on Linux systems where untrusted local users or operational workflows can trigger driver removal paths.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate availability issue. It is not documented as remotely exploitable or actively exploited, but kernel crashes can disrupt shared servers and endpoints. Patch during the next controlled kernel maintenance window, faster for systems with untrusted local users.
Technical view
The bug is a race between PCI driver .runtime_idle() and .remove() callbacks. pm_runtime_get_sync() can return while an already-running runtime_idle callback continues. The fix drains pending runtime-idle work with pm_runtime_barrier() after pm_runtime_get_sync(), preventing crashes seen in rtsx_pcr and other PCI drivers with runtime_idle callbacks.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernel versions and requires local privileges. Systems with PCI drivers using runtime_idle callbacks, especially those near the rtsx_pcr driver scenario, are the most relevant. Network-only exposure is not supported by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The CVE has CVSS 5.5 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high availability impact. The source bundle marks KEV as false, and no cited source states active exploitation. Evidence supports kernel crash risk, not confidentiality or integrity compromise.
Researcher notes
The core issue is a PM callback ordering assumption: runtime_idle may already be executing when pm_runtime_get_sync() returns. The fix placement in pci_device_remove() broadens coverage beyond rtsx_pcr. The affected-version data in the bundle is commit/version oriented, so rely on vendor package mapping for deployment decisions.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced upstream stable fixes.
Apply relevant distribution security updates, such as Debian LTS kernel advisories where applicable.
Prioritize multi-user Linux hosts and systems allowing untrusted local shell access.
Plan reboots where required so the fixed kernel is actually running.
Check vendor guidance for exact fixed package versions before rollout.
Validation and detection
Inventory running Linux kernel versions across affected systems.
Review vendor changelogs for CVE-2024-35809 or referenced stable commits.
Confirm systems rebooted into the updated kernel after patching.
Identify hosts using PCI runtime power management or rtsx_pcr-like PCI drivers.
Monitor kernel crash logs for related PCI runtime PM removal faults.
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
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
cve · low confidence lookup
CVE-2024-35809 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
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.
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.