CVE-2024-38579·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: bcm - Fix pointer arithmetic In spu2_dump_omd() value of ptr is increased by ciph_key_len instead of hash_iv_len which could lead to going beyond the buffer boundaries. Fix this bug by changing ciph_key_len to hash_iv_len. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.9.3
- Published
- 2024-06-19
Affected versions
From: 6.9
Until: 6.9.3
Fixed in: 6.9.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.9.3 or later to patch a buffer overflow vulnerability in the bcm crypto driver's pointer arithmetic logic. Systems running kernel versions 6.9.0 through 6.9.2 should prioritize this update to prevent potential denial of service conditions. Verify the fix by checking your kernel version after applying the security patch.
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 compare against 6.9.3; versions 6.9.0-6.9.2 are vulnerable
- Step 2: Verify the bcm crypto driver is loaded with `lsmod | grep bcm` or `grep -i bcm /proc/modules`
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for memory access errors related to bcm driver with `sudo dmesg | grep -i bcm` or `sudo journalctl -g bcm`
- Step 4: After patching, confirm the new kernel version is active with `uname -r` and reboot if kernel update did not auto-apply
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-38579?
CVE-2024-38579 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Broadcom (bcm) crypto driver where incorrect pointer arithmetic in the spu2_dump_omd() function could read or write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially causing a kernel panic or denial of service.
Is CVE-2024-38579 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-38579 is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are currently available. However, the vulnerability should still be patched promptly as it affects system stability.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-38579?
Linux kernel versions 6.9, 6.9.1, 6.9.2, and 6.9.3 are affected. The vulnerability was introduced in 6.9 and fixed in 6.9.3. Users on LTS kernels (5.15, 6.1, 6.6) are not affected.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-38579?
Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version. If it shows 6.9.0, 6.9.1, or 6.9.2, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if the bcm driver is in use with `lsmod | grep bcm`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-38579?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-38579 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b3460cbf454c6b03d7429e9ffc4fe09322eb1a9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b7a40740f04e2f27114dfd6225c5e721dda9d57
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/49833a8da6407e7e9b532cc4054fdbcaf78f5fdd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0082ee420639a97e40cae66778b02b341b005e5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c256b616067bfd6d274c679c06986b78d2402434
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