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CVE-2024-35938: wifi: ath11k: decrease MHI channel buffer length to 8KB

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath11k: decrease MHI channel buffer length to 8KB Currently buf_len field of ath11k_mhi_config_qca6390 is assigned with 0, making MHI use a default size, 64KB, to allocate channel buffers. This is likely to fail in some scenarios where system memory is highly fragmented and memory compaction or reclaim is not allowed. There is a fail report which is caused by it: kworker/u32:45: page allocation failure: order:4, mode:0x40c00(GFP_NOIO|__GFP_COMP), nodemask=(null),cpuset=/,mems_allowed=0 CPU: 0 PID: 19318 Comm: kworker/u32:45 Not tainted 6.8.0-rc3-1.gae4495f-default #1 openSUSE Tumbleweed (unreleased) 493b6d5b382c603654d7a81fc3c144d59a1dfceb Workqueue: events_unbound async_run_entry_fn Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x47/0x60 warn_alloc+0x13a/0x1b0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __alloc_pages_direct_compact+0xab/0x210 __alloc_pages_slowpath.constprop.0+0xd3e/0xda0 __alloc_pages+0x32d/0x350 ? mhi_prepare_channel+0x127/0x2d0 [mhi 40df44e07c05479f7a6e7b90fba9f0e0031a7814] __kmalloc_large_node+0x72/0x110 __kmalloc+0x37c/0x480 ? mhi_map_single_no_bb+0x77/0xf0 [mhi 40df44e07c05479f7a6e7b90fba9f0e0031a7814] ? mhi_prepare_channel+0x127/0x2d0 [mhi 40df44e07c05479f7a6e7b90fba9f0e0031a7814] mhi_prepare_channel+0x127/0x2d0 [mhi 40df44e07c05479f7a6e7b90fba9f0e0031a7814] __mhi_prepare_for_transfer+0x44/0x80 [mhi 40df44e07c05479f7a6e7b90fba9f0e0031a7814] ? __pfx_____mhi_prepare_for_transfer+0x10/0x10 [mhi 40df44e07c05479f7a6e7b90fba9f0e0031a7814] device_for_each_child+0x5c/0xa0 ? __pfx_pci_pm_resume+0x10/0x10 ath11k_core_resume+0x65/0x100 [ath11k a5094e22d7223135c40d93c8f5321cf09fd85e4e] ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ath11k_pci_pm_resume+0x32/0x60 [ath11k_pci 830b7bfc3ea80ebef32e563cafe2cb55e9cc73ec] ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 dpm_run_callback+0x8c/0x1e0 device_resume+0x104/0x340 ? __pfx_dpm_watchdog_handler+0x10/0x10 async_resume+0x1d/0x30 async_run_entry_fn+0x32/0x120 process_one_work+0x168/0x330 worker_thread+0x2f5/0x410 ? __pfx_worker_thread+0x10/0x10 kthread+0xe8/0x120 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x34/0x50 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30 </TASK> Actually those buffers are used only by QMI target -> host communication. And for WCN6855 and QCA6390, the largest packet size for that is less than 6KB. So change buf_len field to 8KB, which results in order 1 allocation if page size is 4KB. In this way, we can at least save some memory, and as well as decrease the possibility of allocation failure in those scenarios. Tested-on: WCN6855 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.HSP.1.1-03125-QCAHSPSWPL_V1_V2_SILICONZ_LITE-3.6510.30

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-35938 is a Linux kernel Wi-Fi driver reliability issue. On some ath11k hardware, the driver tried to allocate large MHI buffers during resume. In fragmented memory conditions, that allocation could fail and disrupt Wi-Fi recovery. The sources do not indicate data theft, privilege escalation, or confirmed active exploitation.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel patch management, with higher priority for fleets reporting Wi-Fi failures after suspend or resume. Current evidence does not support emergency treatment, but affected mobile endpoints may experience operational disruption.

Technical view

The ath11k MHI configuration left buf_len as 0, causing MHI to use 64KB channel buffers. The kernel fix sets the buffer length to 8KB because QMI target-to-host packets for WCN6855 and QCA6390 are under 6KB, reducing high-order allocation pressure and allocation failures.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using affected kernel versions with ath11k PCI Wi-Fi hardware such as WCN6855 or QCA6390. The failure scenario described involves highly fragmented memory and resume handling. Systems without this driver and hardware path are unlikely to be affected.

Exploitation context

The source bundle reports a kernel page allocation failure and a stability fix. CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not describe public exploitation, attacker control, or a remote trigger. Treat this as a reliability and availability concern unless vendor guidance says otherwise.

Researcher notes

The key technical issue is allocation size, not a described memory corruption primitive. The fix reduces MHI channel buffer length from the default 64KB to 8KB. Evidence is incomplete for exploitability beyond local reliability impact during memory fragmentation and resume.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize laptops or endpoints using ath11k PCI Wi-Fi hardware.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes in supported kernels.
  • Avoid direct wrangler or deployment assumptions; follow normal OS patch channels.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux endpoints for ath11k, WCN6855, or QCA6390 Wi-Fi hardware.
  • Compare kernel versions against distribution advisories and fixed stable commits.
  • Review logs for ath11k, MHI, resume, or page allocation failures.
  • Test suspend and resume behavior after applying kernel updates.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
6Source links

SSVC decision data

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

Vulnerability timeline

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  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

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other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxd5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985dunaffected
LinuxLinux5.6, 0, 5.15.155, 6.1.86, 6.6.27, 6.8.6, 6.9affected
Weakness

CWE details

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