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CVE Record

CVE-2024-42138: mlxsw: core_linecards: Fix double memory deallocation in case of invalid INI file

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mlxsw: core_linecards: Fix double memory deallocation in case of invalid INI file In case of invalid INI file mlxsw_linecard_types_init() deallocates memory but doesn't reset pointer to NULL and returns 0. In case of any error occurred after mlxsw_linecard_types_init() call, mlxsw_linecards_init() calls mlxsw_linecard_types_fini() which performs memory deallocation again. Add pointer reset to NULL. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-42138 is a Linux kernel flaw in the mlxsw switch driver. If an invalid INI file is processed, cleanup can free the same memory twice. The public record does not provide CVSS, confirmed impact, or active exploitation evidence, so urgency depends on whether affected mlxsw hardware and kernels are present.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted infrastructure patching issue, not a broad emergency. Prioritize network devices and Linux platforms using mlxsw hardware support. Escalate if vendor advisories identify reachable exploitation or business-critical exposed switching infrastructure.

Technical view

The bug is in mlxsw_linecard_types_init() and mlxsw_linecards_init(). Invalid INI handling frees memory without nulling the pointer, then later error cleanup can call mlxsw_linecard_types_fini() and free it again. The kernel fix resets the pointer to NULL. It was found by Linux Verification Center with SVACE.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears concentrated in Linux systems using the mlxsw core linecards code, typically switch or networking platforms with supported Mellanox/NVIDIA Spectrum hardware. General Linux servers without this driver path or affected kernel range are less likely to be exposed.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, public exploitation, exploit maturity, or a practical attack path. Evidence supports a kernel double-free bug triggered by invalid INI handling, but not remote exploitability or privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

The public data is limited: no CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or complete environmental prerequisites are provided. Analysis should focus on code ancestry, downstream backports, driver reachability, and whether invalid INI content can be influenced in the target deployment.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels to vendor releases containing the listed stable fixes.
  • Prioritize switch and network appliances using mlxsw linecards or Spectrum hardware.
  • Apply Debian LTS or distribution kernel updates where applicable.
  • If immediate patching is delayed, check vendor guidance for supported workarounds.
  • Track kernel vendor advisories for exact affected package versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems and appliances that load or package the mlxsw driver.
  • Compare kernel versions against vendor advisories and the CVE affected ranges.
  • Confirm installed kernels include one of the referenced stable fixes or downstream backports.
  • Review distro security notices, including Debian LTS, for patched package versions.
  • Monitor kernel logs for mlxsw linecard initialization errors on exposed platforms.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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.

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CVE-2024-42138 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
6Source 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
LinuxLinuxb217127e5e4ee0ecfce7c5f84cfe082238123bda, b217127e5e4ee0ecfce7c5f84cfe082238123bda, b217127e5e4ee0ecfce7c5f84cfe082238123bda, b217127e5e4ee0ecfce7c5f84cfe082238123bdaunaffected
LinuxLinux5.19, 0, 6.1.98, 6.6.39, 6.9.9, 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.