CVE-2024-49928

What it actually does

The vulnerability is an off-by-one error in a loop that loads TX power firmware elements in the rtw89 WiFi driver, causing one extra entry to be copied beyond the valid buffer region and resulting in an out-of-bounds read.

Why it matters to the business

Kernel-level memory access errors on affected Linux systems can cause WiFi driver instability, crashes, or limited information leakage, disrupting wireless connectivity and requiring urgent patching across device fleets.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker supplies a crafted firmware element set during TX power loading in the rtw89 driver; the loop condition allows one additional copy operation past the valid region, enabling out-of-bounds memory read that may be leveraged for further kernel exploitation by listed threat actors.

How to fix it

Apply the upstream kernel fix that relocates the entry copy operation inside the loop body; for any nokogiri (RubyGems) dependencies in the environment, upgrade to version 1.16.5.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm kernel source contains the corrected loop structure with copy inside the body; verify driver loads without accessing memory beyond declared firmware element bounds.

Typical attack path

1. Locate systems running vulnerable Linux kernel with rtw89 WiFi hardware
2. Trigger firmware element loading path with malicious TX power data
3. Exploit off-by-one loop to perform out-of-bounds read
4. Use disclosed memory contents to advance kernel attack

How to detect it

Review kernel logs for rtw89 driver oops or out-of-bounds warnings during firmware load; inspect system call traces involving TX power element processing.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize kernel updates on all systems using rtw89 WiFi before the CISA-style deadline if applicable
• Monitor EPSS trend and threat actor reports for any increase in exploitation
• Audit wireless driver configurations and firmware loading paths