How severe is CVE-2024-42138?

CVE-2024-42138 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2024-42138 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (14th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2024-42138?

CVE-2024-42138 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2024-42138?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2024-42138 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2024-42138 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-39970.

When was CVE-2024-42138 published?

CVE-2024-42138 was published on 2024-07-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2024-42138

CVE-2024-42138 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-415.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (14th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2024-39970
Weakness: CWE-415
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2024-07-30
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mlxsw: core_linecards: Fix double memory deallocation in case of invalid INI file In case of invalid INI file mlxsw_linecard_types_init() deallocates memory but doesn't reset pointer to NULL and returns 0. In case of any error occurred after mlxsw_linecard_types_init() call, mlxsw_linecards_init() calls mlxsw_linecard_types_fini() which performs memory deallocation again. Add pointer reset to NULL. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2024-42138?: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mlxsw: core_linecards: Fix double memory deallocation in case of invalid INI file In case of invalid INI file mlxsw_linecard_types_init() deallocates memory but doesn't reset pointer to NULL and returns 0. In case of any error occurred after mlxsw_linecard_types_init() call, mlxsw_linecards_init() calls mlxsw_linecard_types_fini() which performs memory deallocation again. Add pointer reset to NULL. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
How severe is CVE-2024-42138?: CVE-2024-42138 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2024-42138 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (14th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2024-42138?: CVE-2024-42138 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2024-42138?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2024-42138 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2024-42138 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-39970.
When was CVE-2024-42138 published?: CVE-2024-42138 was published on 2024-07-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:*

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