CVE-2024-53088: Linux Kernel Race Condition Vulnerability

CVE-2024-53088 Overview

CVE-2024-53088 is a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's i40e network driver that leads to MAC/VLAN filter corruption and memory leaking. The vulnerability occurs under heavy load when multiple threads concurrently modify MAC/VLAN filters by setting MAC addresses and port VLANs on Virtual Functions (VFs).

Critical Impact

This race condition can cause filter corruption, memory leaks, and denial of service on systems using Intel i40e network adapters with Virtual Functions enabled.

Affected Products

• Linux Kernel versions prior to 5.10.230
• Linux Kernel versions 5.11 through 5.15.x prior to 5.15.172
• Linux Kernel versions 5.16 through 6.1.x prior to 6.1.117
• Linux Kernel versions 6.2 through 6.6.x prior to 6.6.61
• Linux Kernel versions 6.12-rc1 through 6.12-rc6

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-11-19 - CVE-2024-53088 published to NVD
• 2025-11-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-53088

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-362 (Race Condition). The flaw exists in the i40e driver's handling of MAC/VLAN filter operations when multiple threads attempt concurrent modifications. The race condition manifests when one thread allocates a filter through i40e_add_filter() within i40e_ndo_set_vf_port_vlan() while another thread concurrently frees the same filter through __i40e_del_filter() within i40e_ndo_set_vf_mac().

Subsequently, when i40e_service_task() invokes i40e_sync_vsi_filters(), the function references already-freed filter memory, leading to memory corruption. This vulnerability requires local access and high attack complexity due to the timing-dependent nature of race conditions, but can result in high availability impact through denial of service.

Root Cause

The root cause is the lack of an intermediate synchronization state for filters during the period when they are placed on a temporary add list (tmp_add_list). Without proper state management, filters can be deleted directly from the hash list while still being referenced by the sync operation, creating a use-after-free scenario.

The issue specifically occurs in the following sequence:

1. Thread T0 allocates a filter in i40e_add_filter() within i40e_ndo_set_vf_port_vlan()
2. Thread T1 concurrently frees the filter in __i40e_del_filter() within i40e_ndo_set_vf_mac()
3. i40e_service_task() calls i40e_sync_vsi_filters() which references the freed filter memory

Attack Vector

The vulnerability requires local access to the system with low privileges. An attacker can trigger this condition by:

1. Spawning multiple Virtual Functions on an i40e network adapter
2. Running parallel operations that simultaneously change MAC addresses on VFs and modify port VLANs on the host
3. Under heavy concurrent load, the race condition manifests, causing filter corruption

When triggered, the system logs errors such as: "Error I40E_AQ_RC_ENOSPC adding RX filters on VF XX, please set promiscuous on manually for VF XX".

The exploitation scenario involves concurrent filter operations on systems with heavy network virtualization workloads, potentially leading to denial of service through resource exhaustion and memory corruption.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53088

Indicators of Compromise

• Monitor kernel logs (dmesg) for error messages containing "Error I40E_AQ_RC_ENOSPC adding RX filters on VF"
• Watch for unexpected promiscuous mode recommendations for Virtual Functions
• Observe memory leak patterns or increasing kernel memory usage over time on systems with i40e adapters

Detection Strategies

• Implement kernel log monitoring for i40e driver error messages related to filter synchronization failures
• Monitor for unusual VF configuration changes or rapid MAC/VLAN filter modifications
• Use kernel memory leak detection tools to identify memory issues in the i40e driver subsystem

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable kernel tracing for i40e driver operations during high-load scenarios
• Configure alerting for repeated filter synchronization errors in system logs
• Monitor system stability metrics on servers utilizing Intel i40e adapters with SR-IOV enabled

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53088

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Linux kernel to a patched version that includes the I40E_FILTER_NEW_SYNC state fix
• Reduce concurrent VF MAC/VLAN operations during high-load periods until patching is complete
• Monitor systems with i40e adapters for signs of filter corruption or memory leaks

Patch Information

The fix implements a new intermediate filter state called I40E_FILTER_NEW_SYNC for filters on the tmp_add_list. This ensures filters cannot be deleted from the hash list directly and must be removed using the full synchronization process.

Patches have been committed to the stable Linux kernel branches:

• Linux Kernel Commit 262dc6e
• Linux Kernel Commit 6e046f4
• Linux Kernel Commit 7ad3fb3
• Linux Kernel Commit bf5f837
• Linux Kernel Commit f30490e

Additional distribution-specific advisories are available from Debian LTS.

Workarounds

• Serialize VF configuration operations to avoid concurrent MAC address and port VLAN modifications
• Limit the number of simultaneous VF operations on i40e adapters
• Consider temporarily disabling SR-IOV features if patching is not immediately possible and the system is under heavy virtualization load

# Check current kernel version
uname -r

# Verify i40e driver version
modinfo i40e | grep version

# Monitor for race condition errors
dmesg | grep -i "I40E_AQ_RC_ENOSPC"