CVE-2024-49900·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: jfs: Fix uninit-value access of new_ea in ea_buffer syzbot reports that lzo1x_1_do_compress is using uninit-value: ===================================================== BUG: KMSAN: uninit-value in lzo1x_1_do_compress+0x19f9/0x2510 lib/lzo/lzo1x_compress.c:178 ... Uninit was stored to memory at: ea_put fs/jfs/xattr.c:639 [inline] ... Local variable ea_buf created at: __jfs_setxattr+0x5d/0x1ae0 fs/jfs/xattr.c:662 __jfs_xattr_set+0xe6/0x1f0 fs/jfs/xattr.c:934 ===================================================== The reason is ea_buf->new_ea is not initialized properly. Fix this by using memset to empty its content at the beginning in ea_get().
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.11.3
- Published
- 2024-10-21
Affected versions
From: 6.11
Until: 6.11.3
Fixed in: 6.11.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.11.3 or later to resolve this memory initialization vulnerability in the JFS extended attributes handler. This fix prevents uninitialized buffer access that could lead to information disclosure or system crashes during extended attribute operations. Apply the patch immediately, especially if your systems use JFS filesystems.
sudo dnf upgrade kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check kernel version: uname -r — ensure version is 6.11.3 or higher
- Verify JFS module is loaded: lsmod | grep jfs — if loaded, the vulnerable code path is active
- Search system logs for xattr-related errors: grep -i 'xattr\|ea_' /var/log/kern.log — look for memory access warnings or KMSAN reports
- Confirm patch application: cat /proc/version — verify the kernel release date is after the CVE fix date (around November 2024)
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-49900?
CVE-2024-49900 is a memory initialization bug in the Linux kernel's JFS filesystem driver where the extended attributes buffer (ea_buf->new_ea) is not properly zeroed before use, potentially leading to information leaks or kernel crashes when handling file extended attributes.
Is CVE-2024-49900 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-49900 is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and has no public proof-of-concept exploits available. However, it was discovered through fuzzing and should still be patched promptly.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-49900?
Linux kernel versions 6.11 through 6.11.2 are affected. Version 6.11.3 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-49900?
Run uname -r and verify the kernel version — if it shows 6.11.0, 6.11.1, or 6.11.2, your system is vulnerable. Cross-reference with uname -a for the full build information.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-49900?
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-2024-49900 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b59ffad47db1c46af25ccad157bb3b25147c35c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6041536d18c5f51a84bc37cd568cbab61870031e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7b24d41d47a6805c45378debf8bd115675d41da8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7c244d5b48284a770d96ff703df2dfeadf804a73
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ad8b531de79c348bcb8133e7f5e827b884226af
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2024-49900. Free for 1 server.
Get started free