CVE-2024-49997·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: ethernet: lantiq_etop: fix memory disclosure When applying padding, the buffer is not zeroed, which results in memory disclosure. The mentioned data is observed on the wire. This patch uses skb_put_padto() to pad Ethernet frames properly. The mentioned function zeroes the expanded buffer. In case the packet cannot be padded it is silently dropped. Statistics are also not incremented. This driver does not support statistics in the old 32-bit format or the new 64-bit format. These will be added in the future. In its current form, the patch should be easily backported to stable versions. Ethernet MACs on Amazon-SE and Danube cannot do padding of the packets in hardware, so software padding must be applied.
- 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 patch a memory disclosure vulnerability in the Lantiq Ethernet driver. The vulnerability allows sensitive kernel memory to be exposed on the network when Ethernet frames are padded in software. Apply the security update as soon as possible, especially if your system uses Amazon-SE or Danube Ethernet MAC hardware that relies on software-based packet padding.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check your kernel version: uname -r — if it shows 6.11.0, 6.11.1, or 6.11.2, your system is vulnerable
- Verify the lantiq_etop driver is loaded: lsmod | grep lantiq_etop — if output appears, your hardware may use this driver
- Check network interface details: ethtool -i <interface> — look for 'driver: lantiq_etop' to confirm affected hardware is present
- After patching, verify the new kernel is running: uname -r should show 6.11.3 or higher
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-49997?
This vulnerability allows uninitialized kernel memory to leak across the network when the Lantiq Ethernet driver pads short frames without zeroing the padding bytes. An attacker with network access can capture these frames to potentially obtain sensitive kernel data.
Is CVE-2024-49997 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation or public exploits available for this vulnerability as of the current date.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-49997?
Linux kernel versions 6.11.0 through 6.11.2 are vulnerable; the fix is included in kernel 6.11.3 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-49997?
Run 'uname -r' and check if the output is 6.11.0, 6.11.1, or 6.11.2. Then verify if the lantiq_etop driver is loaded with 'lsmod | grep lantiq_etop'.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-49997?
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-2024-49997 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1097bf16501ed5e35358d848b0a94ad2830b0f65
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/185df159843d30fb71f821e7ea4368c2a3bfcd36
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2bf4c101d7c99483b8b15a0c8f881e3f399f7e18
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/431b122933b197820d319eb3987a67d04346ce9e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/45c0de18ff2dc9af01236380404bbd6a46502c69
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