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CVE Record

CVE-2024-35984: i2c: smbus: fix NULL function pointer dereference

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i2c: smbus: fix NULL function pointer dereference Baruch reported an OOPS when using the designware controller as target only. Target-only modes break the assumption of one transfer function always being available. Fix this by always checking the pointer in __i2c_transfer. [wsa: dropped the simplification in core-smbus to avoid theoretical regressions]

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-35984 is a Linux kernel reliability flaw in the I2C/SMBus path. In target-only controller configurations, the kernel could dereference a missing transfer function and crash. The public record does not provide CVSS, CWE, or evidence of active exploitation, so urgency should be based on where affected kernel versions run in critical systems.

Executive priority

Treat as targeted availability risk, not a broad emergency based on current evidence. Patch through normal kernel update cycles, with faster handling for operational technology, embedded devices, or systems where a kernel crash creates business interruption.

Technical view

The Linux kernel fix adds a pointer check in __i2c_transfer after target-only modes invalidated the assumption that a transfer function is always present. The reported impact was an OOPS with the designware controller used as target-only. Affected Linux kernel versions and stable backport commits are listed in the CVE record.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems or embedded products using affected kernel lines with I2C target-only controller configurations. General Linux fleets may be affected by version, but practical exposure depends on hardware, kernel configuration, and vendor backports.

Exploitation context

The bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or public exploit use. The described outcome is a kernel OOPS from a NULL function pointer dereference, suggesting denial-of-service risk rather than confirmed privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the kernel resolution text, affected Linux version data, stable commit references, Debian LTS notices, and vendor advisories. No CVSS vector, CWE, exploitability assessment, or attack prerequisites are supplied in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the listed Linux stable fixes.
  • Apply relevant Debian LTS kernel updates where Debian systems are in scope.
  • Check embedded and appliance vendor advisories before assuming upstream version status.
  • Prioritize systems where kernel crashes affect safety, availability, or operations.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and embedded devices.
  • Identify systems using I2C/SMBus and designware target-only configurations.
  • Confirm whether vendor kernels include the referenced stable commits or backports.
  • Review Debian and product advisories for package-specific fixed versions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

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

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.

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CVE-2024-35984 mapping review

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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

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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
3ADP providers
13Source links

SSVC decision data

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

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
siemens-SADPADP container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586, 63453b59e41173241c4efe9335815f6432fa8586unaffected
LinuxLinux4.19, 0, 4.19.313, 5.4.275, 5.10.216, 5.15.158, 6.1.90, 6.6.30, 6.8.9, 6.9affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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