CVE-2024-40979

Local kernel memory corruption via oversized ath12k free

Published Jul 12, 2024 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Memory corruption in Linux 6.3 through 6.9.6 allows local users to crash the kernel through crafted ath12k QMI memory requests. ath12k_qmi_msg_mem_request_cb replaces stored segment sizes before allocation, and ath12k_qmi_free_target_mem_chunk then passes an oversized stale size to dma_free_coherent, freeing pages that remain in use. The path requires an active ath12k device, unavailable DMA remapping, and local access to the host-side QMI channel; successful corruption discloses or overwrites kernel memory and interrupts the system.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Linux 6.3 through 6.9.6 allows local users to crash the kernel through crafted ath12k QMI memory requests. ath12k_qmi_msg_mem_request_cb replaces stored segment sizes before allocation, and ath12k_qmi_free_target_mem_chunk then passes an oversized stale size to dma_free_coherent, freeing pages that remain in use. The path requires an active ath12k device, unavailable DMA remapping, and local access to the host-side QMI channel; successful corruption discloses or overwrites kernel memory and interrupts the system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-40979
Published
Jul 12, 2024
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 12, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 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=6.3
  2. Affected versionversion=d889913205cf7ebda905b1e62c5867ed4e39f6c2 <303c017821d88ebad887814114d4e5966d320b28
  3. Affected versionversion=d889913205cf7ebda905b1e62c5867ed4e39f6c2 <bb50a4e711ff95348ad53641acb1306d89eb4c3a

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=6.3; version=d889913205cf7ebda905b1e62c5867ed4e39f6c2 <303c017821d88ebad887814114d4e5966d320b28; version=d889913205cf7ebda905b1e62c5867ed4e39f6c2 <bb50a4e711ff95348ad53641acb1306d89eb4c3a

Published CVSS scores

7.8Linux CNACVSS: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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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