CVE-2024-50051·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: spi: mpc52xx: Add cancel_work_sync before module remove If we remove the module which will call mpc52xx_spi_remove it will free 'ms' through spi_unregister_controller. while the work ms->work will be used. The sequence of operations that may lead to a UAF bug. Fix it by ensuring that the work is canceled before proceeding with the cleanup in mpc52xx_spi_remove.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.12.5
- 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 2% 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.
Read the two together. CVE-2024-50051 scores 7.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.7
Until: 6.12.5
Fixed in: 6.12.5
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.12.5 or later to patch a use-after-free vulnerability in the MPC52xx SPI driver. This vulnerability could allow local attackers with low privileges to cause system crashes or potentially execute code by triggering module removal while pending work operations are still scheduled. Apply the update promptly, especially on systems using MPC52xx SPI hardware.
sudo dnf upgrade kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your kernel version with: uname -r — compare against 6.12.5 or later
- Step 2: Determine if MPC52xx SPI driver is loaded with: lsmod | grep mpc52xx
- Step 3: Check kernel logs for use-after-free warnings with: dmesg | grep -i 'use.*after.*free\|uaf\|spi'
- Step 4: Verify the patch was applied by checking: grep -r 'cancel_work_sync' /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)/drivers/spi/spi-mpc52xx.c 2>/dev/null || echo 'Not patched'
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-50051?
CVE-2024-50051 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MPC52xx SPI driver that occurs when the module is removed while internal work queue operations are still pending, potentially leading to memory corruption or denial of service.
Is CVE-2024-50051 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-50051 is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are currently available, though the vulnerability requires local system access to exploit.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-50051?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.12.4 are affected; the vulnerability is patched in kernel 6.12.5 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-50051?
Run: uname -r — if the output shows kernel version between 6.7 and 6.12.4, you are vulnerable. Additionally, check if MPC52xx SPI hardware is in use on your system with: lspci | grep -i spi or lsmod | grep mpc52xx.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-50051?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed kernel versions against the NVD database. If a vulnerable kernel version is detected on a monitored server, CVE-2024-50051 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps and prioritization guidance.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/373d55a47dc662e5e30d12ad5d334312f757c1f1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/90b72189de2cddacb26250579da0510b29a8b82b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/984836621aad98802d92c4a3047114cf518074c8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cd5106c77d6d6828aa82449f01f4eb436d602a21
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0cde3911cf24e1bcdd4caa1d1b9ef57589db5a1
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