Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-57995 is a Linux kernel flaw in the ath12k Wi-Fi driver. A freed pointer can be read during virtual interface assignment. The published score is high because a local, low-privileged attacker could potentially impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exposure is mainly systems using affected kernels with ath12k-supported Qualcomm Wi-Fi hardware.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for Linux laptops, edge devices, and wireless appliances using ath12k Wi-Fi. The risk is high but local, so it is less urgent than remotely exploitable internet-facing flaws. Patch through normal emergency or accelerated kernel maintenance where affected hardware is present.
Technical view
The issue is a CWE-416 use-after-free/read-after-free in ath12k_mac_assign_vif_to_vdev(). When arvif is moved between radios, ath12k_mac_unassign_link_vif() frees it, but later logic still checks the freed pointer. The fix reorders the check after arvif is reassigned by ath12k_mac_assign_link_vif(). CVSS is 7.8, AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Likely exposure
Likely exposed assets are Linux systems running affected kernel builds with the ath12k driver and compatible Qualcomm Wi-Fi hardware. Server fleets without Wi-Fi hardware or without ath12k loaded are less likely exposed. Distro backports may change version-based conclusions, so validate by kernel package advisories or patch presence.
Exploitation context
The CVE record does not show CISA KEV listing, and the provided sources do not report active exploitation. The attack vector is local with low privileges and no user interaction. Public evidence only describes the bug and stable kernel fixes, not weaponized exploitation.
Researcher notes
The source bundle identifies Linux kernel versions and commits but does not provide a full distro-specific affected matrix. The fix was tested on QCN9274 hw2.0. Treat version checks carefully because enterprise distributions commonly backport kernel fixes without changing the upstream version number.
Mitigation direction
- Check Linux distribution and kernel vendor advisories for CVE-2024-57995.
- Update to a kernel build containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Prioritize endpoints or appliances using ath12k-supported Wi-Fi hardware.
- If updates are unavailable, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux hosts with ath12k driver loaded or packaged.
- Map running kernel versions to vendor CVE advisories and backport notes.
- Confirm the relevant stable fix commit is present in the kernel source/package.
- Review kernel logs for ath12k instability, while not treating logs as proof of exploitation.
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-2024-57995 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/57100b87c77818cb0d582a92e5cb32fff85c757dCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f3a95a312419e4f1e992525917da9dbcd247038fCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a10971c7645a95f5d5dc23c26fbac4bf61801d0CVE 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.