CVE-2024-26736 – This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-26736?

CVE-2024-26736 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AFS (Andrew File System) implementation. An attacker could exploit this to cause a kernel crash (denial of service) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with AFS enabled are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AFS (Andrew File System) implementation. An attacker could exploit this to cause a kernel crash (denial of service) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with AFS enabled are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not specified in CVE description; check kernel commit history for exact ranges

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if AFS (Andrew File System) is enabled and in use. Most standard Linux installations do not have AFS enabled by default.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

View all CVEs affecting Debian Linux →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash and potential remote code execution with kernel privileges, allowing complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel crash causing denial of service, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if AFS is not enabled or system is patched; at most a service disruption if exploited.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - AFS is typically used in internal network environments, not exposed to the internet.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers with access to AFS services could exploit this to disrupt systems or potentially gain elevated privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires access to AFS services and knowledge of triggering the vulnerable function. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 5c27d85a69fa16a08813ba37ddfb4bbc9a1ed6b5, 6e6065dd25b661420fac19c34282b6c626fcd35e, 6ea38e2aeb72349cad50e38899b0ba6fbcb2af3d, d34a5e57632bb5ff825196ddd9a48ca403626dfa, d9b5e2b7a8196850383c70d099bfd39e81ab6637

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c27d85a69fa16a08813ba37ddfb4bbc9a1ed6b5

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable AFS module

linux

Prevent loading of AFS kernel module to eliminate attack surface

echo 'install afs /bin/false' >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-afs.conf
rmmod afs 2>/dev/null || true

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable AFS functionality if not required
Implement network segmentation to restrict access to AFS services

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if AFS module is loaded: lsmod | grep afs. If loaded and kernel version is unpatched, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version includes fix commits and AFS module loads without issues.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in /var/log/messages or dmesg
AFS-related crash reports

Network Indicators:

Unusual AFS protocol traffic patterns

SIEM Query:

EventID=41 OR Source='kernel' AND Message LIKE '%panic%' OR Message LIKE '%AFS%' AND Message LIKE '%crash%'

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-26736

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: April 3, 2024

Last Updated: March 17, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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