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CVE Record

CVE-2024-38553: net: fec: remove .ndo_poll_controller to avoid deadlocks

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: fec: remove .ndo_poll_controller to avoid deadlocks There is a deadlock issue found in sungem driver, please refer to the commit ac0a230f719b ("eth: sungem: remove .ndo_poll_controller to avoid deadlocks"). The root cause of the issue is that netpoll is in atomic context and disable_irq() is called by .ndo_poll_controller interface of sungem driver, however, disable_irq() might sleep. After analyzing the implementation of fec_poll_controller(), the fec driver should have the same issue. Due to the fec driver uses NAPI for TX completions, the .ndo_poll_controller is unnecessary to be implemented in the fec driver, so fec_poll_controller() can be safely removed.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can cause a deadlock in the fec network driver when netpoll triggers driver polling in atomic context. For executives, the business risk is service instability or availability impact on affected Linux systems using that driver, not confirmed data theft or remote code execution.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk for affected Linux platforms. Prioritize remediation where embedded, appliance, or production systems depend on fec networking, but avoid emergency escalation absent exploitation or severity evidence.

Technical view

The fec driver implemented .ndo_poll_controller, where fec_poll_controller() could call disable_irq() from netpoll atomic context. Because disable_irq() might sleep, this can deadlock. Kernel stable fixes remove the unnecessary poll controller because the driver uses NAPI for TX completions.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the fec network driver path present and relevant netpoll usage. The bundle lists Linux as affected, but provides no CVSS, CPEs, or environment-specific exploitability details.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and KEV is false. The evidence supports a kernel deadlock condition rather than a confirmed weaponized attack path. Practical impact depends on whether affected systems use the fec driver and netpoll-related functionality.

Researcher notes

The source bundle attributes the issue to the same netpoll atomic-context pattern seen in sungem. The fix direction is removal of fec_poll_controller/.ndo_poll_controller. Missing data includes CVSS, CWE, attack prerequisites, and product-specific affected hardware or distributions beyond Linux and Debian LTS.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Follow distribution guidance, including Debian LTS where applicable.
  • Prioritize systems using the fec network driver in production roles.
  • Check vendor or distribution advisories if no fixed package is available.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against the affected and fixed ranges.
  • Confirm whether the fec network driver is enabled or loaded.
  • Review distribution security notices for CVE-2024-38553 package status.
  • Validate test coverage for network availability after kernel updates.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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

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CVE-2024-38553 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
2ADP providers
7Source 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

CVECVE Program Container
CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux7f5c6addcdc039c1a7c435857e6284ecac5d97c8, 7f5c6addcdc039c1a7c435857e6284ecac5d97c8, 7f5c6addcdc039c1a7c435857e6284ecac5d97c8, 7f5c6addcdc039c1a7c435857e6284ecac5d97c8, 7f5c6addcdc039c1a7c435857e6284ecac5d97c8unaffected
LinuxLinux3.2, 0, 6.1.119, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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