Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel Wi-Fi subsystem flaw that can let a local low-privileged user trigger unsafe memory handling. The CVSS impact is high because successful exploitation could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but the provided sources do not show remote exploitation or active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance item, especially for shared Linux systems and endpoints. It is not described as internet-remotely exploitable in the provided sources, but kernel memory issues can have serious business impact if local access is available.
Technical view
CVE-2024-38562 is a CWE-129 out-of-bounds array indexing issue in nl80211. The fix ensures request->n_channels is set before request->channels[] use and avoids deriving post-array addresses from an out-of-bounds index. The vector is local, low complexity, low privilege, no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Systems running affected Linux kernel builds with nl80211 Wi-Fi functionality are the likely exposure. The provided data names Linux kernel versions around 6.6, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, and 6.10, but distro backports must be checked.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local access with low privileges is required, so this is more urgent on shared systems, endpoints, and devices where untrusted local users can run code.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on nl80211 kernel code provenance and stable commit inclusion, not just upstream version strings. The public description is concise and does not provide exploitability details beyond CVSS, CWE-129, and the memory bounds correction.
Mitigation direction
- Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Check Linux kernel and distro advisories for exact fixed package versions.
- Prioritize shared hosts, laptops, and wireless-capable Linux devices.
- Restrict untrusted local shell access where patching is delayed.
- Track exceptions for unsupported kernels until upgraded or replaced.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across managed systems.
- Confirm whether distro packages include the referenced stable commits.
- Flag affected or uncertain systems for patching review.
- Verify patched hosts are running the updated kernel after reboot.
- Document distro backport evidence for accepted residual risk.
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.
CWE-129: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2024-38562 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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/ed74398642fcb19f6ff385c35a7d512c6663e17bCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4e2a5566462b53db7d4c4722da86eedf0b8f546cCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8fa4d56564ee7cc2ee348258d88efe191d70dd7fCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/838c7b8f1f278404d9d684c34a8cb26dc41aaaa1CVE reference, Linux
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.
Improper Validation of Array Index
Improper Validation of Array Index represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.