CVE-2024-38620·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: HCI: Remove HCI_AMP support Since BT_HS has been remove HCI_AMP controllers no longer has any use so remove it along with the capability of creating AMP controllers. Since we no longer need to differentiate between AMP and Primary controllers, as only HCI_PRIMARY is left, this also remove hdev->dev_type altogether.
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.9.3
- Published
- 2024-06-20
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 this vulnerability. The patch removes deprecated HCI_AMP (Alternate MAC/PHY) controller support that was no longer functional after BT_HS removal, eliminating an unused code path that could lead to denial of service conditions. Apply the kernel update through your distribution's package manager and reboot your system.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run `uname -r` to display your current kernel version and compare against 6.9.3
- Check if Bluetooth HCI device enumeration shows AMP controllers via `hciconfig -a` or `lsusb | grep -i bluetooth`
- Search kernel logs for HCI-related errors using `sudo dmesg | grep -i 'hci\|bluetooth\|amp'`
- After patching, verify the new kernel is loaded with `uname -r` and confirm no HCI_AMP references remain in `cat /proc/config.gz | zcat | grep -i amp`
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-38620?
This vulnerability involves leftover HCI_AMP (Alternate MAC/PHY) controller code in the Linux kernel that became orphaned after Bluetooth High Speed (BT_HS) support was removed. The deprecated code path could be triggered by local users to cause a denial of service through memory exhaustion or kernel crashes.
Is CVE-2024-38620 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild. CISA has not added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-38620?
Linux kernel versions 6.9.0 through 6.9.2 are vulnerable. The fix is included in kernel 6.9.3 and all subsequent releases in the 6.9+ series.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-38620?
Run `uname -r` and verify your kernel version is not in the 6.9.0–6.9.2 range. For detailed validation, check `cat /proc/config.gz | zcat | grep -E 'CONFIG_BT|CONFIG_HCI'` to confirm Bluetooth support status.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-38620?
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-2024-38620 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5af2e235b0d5b797e9531a00c50058319130e156
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/84a4bb6548a29326564f0e659fb8064503ecc1c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/af1d425b6dc67cd67809f835dd7afb6be4d43e03
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3c7b012d912b31ad23b9349c0e499d6dddd48ec
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5af2e235b0d5b797e9531a00c50058319130e156
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2024-38620. Free for 1 server.
Get started free