CVE-2024-27021

Module-removal hang via RTNL deadlock

Published May 1, 2024 · Updated May 11, 2026

Improper locking in the r8169 driver in Linux 6.8 allows attackers to hang module removal by triggering an RTNL deadlock. The LED registration path binds device-managed cleanup to the network device, so teardown performs LED cleanup while RTNL locking is in an incompatible state. Reachability requires the affected r8169 driver and the ability to remove its module; the documented consequence is a teardown hang, not data access or code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper locking in the r8169 driver in Linux 6.8 allows attackers to hang module removal by triggering an RTNL deadlock. The LED registration path binds device-managed cleanup to the network device, so teardown performs LED cleanup while RTNL locking is in an incompatible state. Reachability requires the affected r8169 driver and the ability to remove its module; the documented consequence is a teardown hang, not data access or code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-27021
Published
May 1, 2024
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-667
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 1, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=18764b883e157e28126b54e7d4ba9dd487d5bf54 <19fa4f2a85d777a8052e869c1b892a2f7556569d
  2. Affected versionversion=18764b883e157e28126b54e7d4ba9dd487d5bf54 <53d986f39acd8ea11c9e460732bfa5add66360d9
  3. Affected versionversion=6.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=18764b883e157e28126b54e7d4ba9dd487d5bf54 <19fa4f2a85d777a8052e869c1b892a2f7556569d; version=18764b883e157e28126b54e7d4ba9dd487d5bf54 <53d986f39acd8ea11c9e460732bfa5add66360d9; version=6.8

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-667Improper Locking

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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