CVE-2024-38611·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: i2c: et8ek8: Don't strip remove function when driver is builtin Using __exit for the remove function results in the remove callback being discarded with CONFIG_VIDEO_ET8EK8=y. When such a device gets unbound (e.g. using sysfs or hotplug), the driver is just removed without the cleanup being performed. This results in resource leaks. Fix it by compiling in the remove callback unconditionally. This also fixes a W=1 modpost warning: WARNING: modpost: drivers/media/i2c/et8ek8/et8ek8: section mismatch in reference: et8ek8_i2c_driver+0x10 (section: .data) -> et8ek8_remove (section: .exit.text)
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.9.3
- 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 4% 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: 6.9
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 resolve a resource leak in the ET8EK8 media driver. The vulnerability occurs when the driver is compiled as builtin and a device is unbound, causing cleanup code to be skipped. Ensure your system applies the latest kernel patches to prevent memory and resource exhaustion.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r
- Verify if ET8EK8 driver is built-in: grep -i et8ek8 /boot/config-$(uname -r) | grep '=y'
- Check for video capture device bindings: lsusb | grep -i camera or ls -la /sys/bus/i2c/devices/
- Verify kernel fix: grep -A 5 'et8ek8_remove' /proc/version || modinfo et8ek8 | grep -i version
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-38611?
This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's ET8EK8 media driver when compiled as a builtin module. The remove function is incorrectly discarded at compile time, preventing proper cleanup when a video device is unbound, leading to resource leaks.
Is CVE-2024-38611 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-38611?
Linux kernel versions 6.9 through 6.9.3 are affected. Kernel 6.9.3 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-38611?
Run 'uname -r' to check your kernel version. If it shows 6.9 to 6.9.3 and 'grep et8ek8=y /boot/config-$(uname -r)' returns a result, your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-38611?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server running 6.9–6.9.3, CVE-2024-38611 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/04d1086a62ac492ebb6bb0c94c1c8cb55f5d1f36
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/43fff07e4b1956d0e5cf23717507e438278ea3d9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/545b215736c5c4b354e182d99c578a472ac9bfce
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/904db2ba44ae60641b6378c5013254d09acf5e80
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/963523600d9f1e36bc35ba774c2493d6baa4dd8f
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