CVE-2024-58057: idpf: convert workqueues to unbound
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
idpf: convert workqueues to unbound
When a workqueue is created with `WQ_UNBOUND`, its work items are
served by special worker-pools, whose host workers are not bound to
any specific CPU. In the default configuration (i.e. when
`queue_delayed_work` and friends do not specify which CPU to run the
work item on), `WQ_UNBOUND` allows the work item to be executed on any
CPU in the same node of the CPU it was enqueued on. While this
solution potentially sacrifices locality, it avoids contention with
other processes that might dominate the CPU time of the processor the
work item was scheduled on.
This is not just a theoretical problem: in a particular scenario
misconfigured process was hogging most of the time from CPU0, leaving
less than 0.5% of its CPU time to the kworker. The IDPF workqueues
that were using the kworker on CPU0 suffered large completion delays
as a result, causing performance degradation, timeouts and eventual
system crash.
* I have also run a manual test to gauge the performance
improvement. The test consists of an antagonist process
(`./stress --cpu 2`) consuming as much of CPU 0 as possible. This
process is run under `taskset 01` to bind it to CPU0, and its
priority is changed with `chrt -pQ 9900 10000 ${pid}` and
`renice -n -20 ${pid}` after start.
Then, the IDPF driver is forced to prefer CPU0 by editing all calls
to `queue_delayed_work`, `mod_delayed_work`, etc... to use CPU 0.
Finally, `ktraces` for the workqueue events are collected.
Without the current patch, the antagonist process can force
arbitrary delays between `workqueue_queue_work` and
`workqueue_execute_start`, that in my tests were as high as
`30ms`. With the current patch applied, the workqueue can be
migrated to another unloaded CPU in the same node, and, keeping
everything else equal, the maximum delay I could see was `6us`.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue affects the IDPF driver’s internal workqueues. If important driver work is stuck behind a heavily loaded CPU, network-related completions can be delayed enough to cause performance degradation, timeouts, and eventually a system crash.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted reliability risk, not a broad internet-facing emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize patching where IDPF networking supports critical services or where noisy local workloads share hosts.
Technical view
IDPF workqueues were CPU-bound, so delayed work could depend on a saturated CPU’s kworker. The fix converts those queues to WQ_UNBOUND, allowing execution on another CPU in the same node and reducing large scheduling delays described in testing.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the IDPF driver in use. The source lists Linux 6.7, 6.12.13, 6.13.2, and 6.14 as affected, but distribution backport status must be checked separately.
Exploitation context
No KEV listing or cited source indicates active exploitation. The public description shows a reliability failure under CPU starvation from a misconfigured process, not a confirmed remote exploit path or weaponized attack.
Researcher notes
The record lacks CVSS, CWE, and exploitability detail. Analysis should focus on affected kernel lineage, IDPF enablement, and whether downstream kernels include the stable commits. Avoid assuming remote code execution or active exploitation.
Mitigation direction
Apply kernel or distribution updates containing the listed stable fixes.
Verify whether your vendor has backported the IDPF WQ_UNBOUND change.
Prioritize systems using IDPF-backed networking in production paths.
Review CPU scheduling controls for workloads that can starve kernel workers.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions and IDPF driver usage across systems.
Check package changelogs for the referenced stable commit IDs.
Review logs for IDPF timeouts, completion delays, or crash patterns.
Validate vendor advisories before marking distribution kernels fixed.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE-2024-58057 mapping review
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Mar 6, 2025, 15:54 UTC (UTC+00:00)
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