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CVE Record

CVE-2024-35971: net: ks8851: Handle softirqs at the end of IRQ thread to fix hang

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ks8851: Handle softirqs at the end of IRQ thread to fix hang The ks8851_irq() thread may call ks8851_rx_pkts() in case there are any packets in the MAC FIFO, which calls netif_rx(). This netif_rx() implementation is guarded by local_bh_disable() and local_bh_enable(). The local_bh_enable() may call do_softirq() to run softirqs in case any are pending. One of the softirqs is net_rx_action, which ultimately reaches the driver .start_xmit callback. If that happens, the system hangs. The entire call chain is below: ks8851_start_xmit_par from netdev_start_xmit netdev_start_xmit from dev_hard_start_xmit dev_hard_start_xmit from sch_direct_xmit sch_direct_xmit from __dev_queue_xmit __dev_queue_xmit from __neigh_update __neigh_update from neigh_update neigh_update from arp_process.constprop.0 arp_process.constprop.0 from __netif_receive_skb_one_core __netif_receive_skb_one_core from process_backlog process_backlog from __napi_poll.constprop.0 __napi_poll.constprop.0 from net_rx_action net_rx_action from __do_softirq __do_softirq from call_with_stack call_with_stack from do_softirq do_softirq from __local_bh_enable_ip __local_bh_enable_ip from netif_rx netif_rx from ks8851_irq ks8851_irq from irq_thread_fn irq_thread_fn from irq_thread irq_thread from kthread kthread from ret_from_fork The hang happens because ks8851_irq() first locks a spinlock in ks8851_par.c ks8851_lock_par() spin_lock_irqsave(&ksp->lock, ...) and with that spinlock locked, calls netif_rx(). Once the execution reaches ks8851_start_xmit_par(), it calls ks8851_lock_par() again which attempts to claim the already locked spinlock again, and the hang happens. Move the do_softirq() call outside of the spinlock protected section of ks8851_irq() by disabling BHs around the entire spinlock protected section of ks8851_irq() handler. Place local_bh_enable() outside of the spinlock protected section, so that it can trigger do_softirq() without the ks8851_par.c ks8851_lock_par() spinlock being held, and safely call ks8851_start_xmit_par() without attempting to lock the already locked spinlock. Since ks8851_irq() is protected by local_bh_disable()/local_bh_enable() now, replace netif_rx() with __netif_rx() which is not duplicating the local_bh_disable()/local_bh_enable() calls.

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in Linux systems using the KS8851 network driver can cause the entire system to hang while processing network traffic. It affects availability rather than data confidentiality or integrity. Devices using this specific hardware and driver deserve prompt assessment; Linux systems without it are unlikely to be exposed.

Executive priority

Prioritize assessment promptly where KS8851-based devices support critical, remote, or difficult-to-recover services. Patch on the normal urgent cycle after confirming exposure. Broad emergency action across all Linux systems is not justified because the vulnerable driver and hardware path must be present.

Technical view

The KS8851 IRQ thread can invoke receive processing while holding the driver's spinlock. Pending network softirqs may re-enter the transmit callback, which attempts to acquire the same lock and deadlocks. The published fix prevents softirq execution inside the protected section by extending bottom-half suppression and using __netif_rx().

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems using the KS8851 parallel-interface network driver and affected kernel code. The bundle lists affected kernel versions but does not provide reliable distribution-specific package mappings. Embedded, industrial, or appliance deployments using this network controller may warrant particular attention.

Exploitation context

The CVSS assessment describes network-reachable, low-complexity, unauthenticated availability impact. However, the supplied sources do not report public exploitation, and the CVE is not identified as CISA KEV. Treat remote denial of service as plausible from the technical conditions, not confirmed exploitation.

Researcher notes

The failure is recursive acquisition of the ks8851_par spinlock: receive handling under the IRQ-thread lock can execute net_rx_action and reach ks8851_start_xmit_par, which requests that lock again. The fix moves possible softirq execution beyond the locked region. The bundle provides four stable-tree commits but insufficient metadata to map every distribution kernel precisely.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify systems using the KS8851 parallel-interface network driver.
  • Apply a vendor kernel update containing the applicable published fix or backport.
  • Prioritize exposed appliances where a system hang would disrupt critical operations.
  • Consult the Linux or distribution vendor for exact fixed package versions.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether the KS8851 driver is configured, loaded, and attached to network hardware.
  • Record running kernel and distribution package versions on potentially affected systems.
  • Verify the vendor update includes an applicable referenced kernel fix.
  • Run vendor-approved network regression tests and confirm systems remain responsive.
  • Monitor affected devices for unexplained hangs associated with network activity.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

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-2024-35971 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
5Source 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
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-35971Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
LinuxLinux797047f875b5463719cc70ba213eb691d453c946, 797047f875b5463719cc70ba213eb691d453c946, 797047f875b5463719cc70ba213eb691d453c946, 797047f875b5463719cc70ba213eb691d453c946unaffected
LinuxLinux5.8, 0, 6.1.87, 6.6.28, 6.8.7, 6.9affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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