CVE-2024-50159·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: firmware: arm_scmi: Fix the double free in scmi_debugfs_common_setup() Clang static checker(scan-build) throws below warning: | drivers/firmware/arm_scmi/driver.c:line 2915, column 2 | Attempt to free released memory. When devm_add_action_or_reset() fails, scmi_debugfs_common_cleanup() will run twice which causes double free of 'dbg->name'. Remove the redundant scmi_debugfs_common_cleanup() to fix this problem.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.11.6
- Published
- 2024-11-07
Affected versions
From: 6.7
Until: 6.11.6
Fixed in: 6.11.6
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.11.6 or later to resolve a memory management flaw in the ARM SCMI firmware subsystem that could trigger a double-free condition. This fix eliminates redundant cleanup code that was inadvertently freeing memory twice during debugfs initialization failures. Prioritize this update for systems running kernel versions 6.7 through 6.11.5.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your kernel version with: uname -r — the output should show a version number (e.g., 6.11.6 or later indicates the patch is applied)
- Step 2: Verify if ARM SCMI firmware is in use by checking: cat /proc/device-tree/firmware/scmi 2>/dev/null — if the directory exists, SCMI is active on your system
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for debugfs errors with: sudo dmesg | grep -i 'scmi_debugfs' or journalctl -k | grep -i 'scmi' — look for memory-related warnings or double-free messages
- Step 4: After patching, confirm the fix by running uname -r and verifying the kernel version matches or exceeds 6.11.6, then reboot to activate the new kernel
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-50159?
CVE-2024-50159 is a memory safety vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ARM SCMI (System Control and Management Interface) firmware driver where a failed debugfs initialization could cause a memory region to be freed twice, potentially leading to kernel instability or privilege escalation.
Is CVE-2024-50159 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-50159 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are available. However, the high CVSS score (7.8) indicates it should still be treated as a priority update.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-50159?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.11.5 are vulnerable. The fix was included in kernel version 6.11.6 and later stable releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-50159?
Run 'uname -r' to display your kernel version. If it falls between 6.7 and 6.11.5 (inclusive), your system is vulnerable. Compare the output to the fixed version 6.11.6.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-50159?
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-2024-50159 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
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