CVE-2024-36962·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ks8851: Queue RX packets in IRQ handler instead of disabling BHs Currently the driver uses local_bh_disable()/local_bh_enable() in its IRQ handler to avoid triggering net_rx_action() softirq on exit from netif_rx(). The net_rx_action() could trigger this driver .start_xmit callback, which is protected by the same lock as the IRQ handler, so calling the .start_xmit from netif_rx() from the IRQ handler critical section protected by the lock could lead to an attempt to claim the already claimed lock, and a hang. The local_bh_disable()/local_bh_enable() approach works only in case the IRQ handler is protected by a spinlock, but does not work if the IRQ handler is protected by mutex, i.e. this works for KS8851 with Parallel bus interface, but not for KS8851 with SPI bus interface. Remove the BH manipulation and instead of calling netif_rx() inside the IRQ handler code protected by the lock, queue all the received SKBs in the IRQ handler into a queue first, and once the IRQ handler exits the critical section protected by the lock, dequeue all the queued SKBs and push them all into netif_rx(). At this point, it is safe to trigger the net_rx_action() softirq, since the netif_rx() call is outside of the lock that protects the IRQ handler.
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.8.10
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 9% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Affected versions
From: 6.8.7
Until: 6.8.10
Fixed in: 6.8.10
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.8.10 or later to resolve a deadlock condition in the KS8851 network driver. This vulnerability affects systems using the KS8851 Ethernet controller with SPI bus interface, where improper softirq handling in the IRQ handler can cause kernel hangs. Apply the patch immediately if you are running kernel versions 6.8.7 through 6.8.9.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` and verify if it falls within the affected range (6.8.7 to 6.8.9)
- Step 2: Confirm if KS8851 network driver is loaded by running `lsmod | grep ks8851` or `ethtool -i <interface>` to check driver name
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for deadlock or hang indicators with `journalctl -k | grep -i 'ks8851\|deadlock\|BUG: soft lockup'`
- Step 4: After updating to kernel 6.8.10+, reboot and verify the new version with `uname -r`, then confirm no lockup messages appear in `dmesg`
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-36962?
This vulnerability is a deadlock condition in the KS8851 Ethernet driver's interrupt handler where improper management of software interrupt (softirq) contexts can cause the kernel to hang when the driver attempts to reclaim a lock already held by the IRQ handler.
Is CVE-2024-36962 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed as actively exploited according to CISA KEV data, and no public exploits are available. It is primarily a stability and reliability issue rather than a security attack vector.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-36962?
Linux kernel versions 6.8.7, 6.8.8, and 6.8.9 are affected. The vulnerability is resolved in kernel version 6.8.10 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-36962?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version. If it shows 6.8.7, 6.8.8, or 6.8.9, and you have a KS8851 network adapter (verify with `ethtool -i <eth0>` or `lsmod | grep ks8851`), your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-36962?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server and the version is within the vulnerable range, CVE-2024-36962 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e2901a2a9195da76111f351584bf77552a038f0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a3ff43dcbab7c96f9e8cf2bd1049ab8d6e59545
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ae87f661f3c1a3134a7ed86ab69bf9f12af88993
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0863634bf9f7cf36291ebb5bfa2d16632f79c49
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e2901a2a9195da76111f351584bf77552a038f0
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