Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel double-free bug in the Microchip pci1xxxx auxiliary bus probe error path. It is not reported as actively exploited and has no CVSS score in the provided sources. Business urgency is highest for Linux systems that use this driver or related hardware; otherwise it should be handled through normal kernel patch management.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not an internet-wide emergency based on current evidence. Patch affected Linux fleets through the normal urgent kernel update process, with faster attention for systems using the Microchip pci1xxxx driver.
Technical view
The flaw occurs when auxiliary_device_add() fails and triggers auxiliary_device_uninit(); the release callback already frees the IDA entry and wrapper memory. The vulnerable error path then performs redundant cleanup, creating a double-free condition. Stable kernel commits fix this by skipping the duplicate cleanup functions.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux kernels containing the affected Microchip pci1xxxx driver path, especially systems with relevant hardware or enabled driver support. The provided data lists Linux 6.1-era through fixed stable releases, but does not provide distribution-specific package coverage beyond the Debian LTS reference.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, KEV listing, public exploit availability, or practical attack requirements. The bug is in kernel error handling during device probe, so impact depends on whether an attacker can influence that failure path in a relevant environment.
Researcher notes
Key unknowns are practical exploitability, required local privileges, and reachable failure conditions. The provided record identifies a double-free fix but does not include CVSS, CWE, exploit evidence, or a complete distro-by-distro affected package matrix.
Mitigation direction
- Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the stable fixes.
- Prioritize systems using Microchip PCI1xxxx hardware or the pci1xxxx driver.
- Review Debian LTS guidance where Debian systems are in scope.
- If no update is available, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected systems.
- Check whether the pci1xxxx driver or related hardware is present.
- Confirm kernel changelogs include one of the referenced stable fix commits.
- Track distribution advisories for package-specific fixed versions.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-2024-36973 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
SSVC decision data
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/34ae447b138680b5ed3660f7d935ff3faf88ba1aCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/86c9713602f786f441630c4ee02891987f8618b9CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1efe551982297924d05a367aa2b6ec3d275d5742CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/086c6cbcc563c81d55257f9b27e14faf1d0963d3CVE reference, Linux
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.htmlCVE reference, CVE
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.