Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux mlx5e network-driver cleanup flaw can access memory after it has been freed when unloading a virtual-port representor. This may crash or compromise an affected host. The CVSS score is 7.8 because impact could include confidentiality, integrity, and availability, although exploitation requires local access and specific driver conditions.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority infrastructure update for affected mlx5e hosts, especially virtualization, switching, or accelerated-networking systems. It is not evidence of an internet-wide emergency: attack access is local, the vulnerable configuration is specialized, and active exploitation is not established.
Technical view
During mlx5e driver unload, a vport representor’s mlx5e_rep_priv structure may be freed before unregister_netdev completes. Subsequent traffic-control restoration can dereference rpriv->netdev or traverse rpriv->tc_ht, causing a use-after-free. The stable fixes prevent restoration for representors whose loaded flag is unset.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems using the mlx5e driver’s virtual-port representor functionality, particularly where the driver is unloaded. The supplied record identifies affected 6.6 and 6.12/6.13-era kernels, but its version data is ambiguous. Confirm exposure through distribution package status and inclusion of the referenced fixes.
Exploitation context
The supplied CVSS vector describes a local, low-complexity attack requiring low privileges and no user interaction. However, the sources provide no exploit details or proof of practical privilege escalation. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle, and no cited evidence establishes active exploitation.
Researcher notes
CWE-416 accurately reflects the reported lifetime error. The key trigger is ordering during driver unload: representor-private data is freed before net-device unregistration can invoke TC restoration. The fix gates restoration on representor loaded state. Exact vulnerable-version boundaries and real-world exploitability cannot be resolved confidently from the supplied version list alone.
Mitigation direction
- Install a supported kernel package incorporating the applicable referenced stable fix.
- Consult the Linux distribution or appliance vendor for exact fixed package versions.
- Prioritize hosts using mlx5e virtual-port representors or performing driver unload operations.
Validation and detection
- Inventory kernel versions and identify systems using mlx5e virtual-port representors.
- Check vendor package advisories for CVE-2024-57801 remediation status.
- Verify kernel sources or package metadata include an applicable referenced fix.
- After updating and rebooting, confirm the running kernel matches the remediated package.
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-416: 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-2024-57801 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
2 official scoresWe 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:H1.85.9LinuxCVSS: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
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/3e45dd1622a2c1a83c11bf42fdd8c1810123d6c0CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/47c78d3fc26e38ab805613a0f592dc8a820c7c64CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a03b368562a7ff5f5f1f63b5adf8309cbdbd5beCVE 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.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.