CVE-2024-42257·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: use memtostr_pad() for s_volume_name As with the other strings in struct ext4_super_block, s_volume_name is not NUL terminated. The other strings were marked in commit 072ebb3bffe6 ("ext4: add nonstring annotations to ext4.h"). Using strscpy() isn't the right replacement for strncpy(); it should use memtostr_pad() instead.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.10.1
- Published
- 2024-08-08
Affected versions
From: 6.10
Until: 6.10.1
Fixed in: 6.10.1
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.10.1 or later to resolve a string handling vulnerability in the ext4 filesystem driver. This fix corrects improper memory-to-string conversion for volume name fields, preventing potential data corruption or kernel memory issues. Apply the kernel update through your distribution's package manager and reboot your system to complete the remediation.
sudo dnf update kernelDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check current kernel version with `uname -r` and compare against version 6.10.1
- Step 2: Verify ext4 filesystem usage with `df -T | grep ext4` to confirm the vulnerable component is in use
- Step 3: Review kernel logs for ext4-related errors using `dmesg | grep -i ext4` or `journalctl -u kernel | grep -i ext4`
- Step 4: After applying the update, confirm the new kernel version with `uname -r` and verify it shows 6.10.1 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-42257?
This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's ext4 filesystem implementation, where the volume name field (s_volume_name) was incorrectly processed using strscpy() instead of the proper memtostr_pad() function, leading to potential memory handling issues.
Is CVE-2024-42257 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild, and no public exploit code has been released for this vulnerability.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-42257?
Linux kernel versions 6.10 through 6.10.1 are affected by this vulnerability.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-42257?
Run `uname -r` and check if your kernel version falls within 6.10 to 6.10.1. If it does, your system is vulnerable and requires an immediate update.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-42257?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-42257 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2024-42257. Free for 1 server.
Get started free