CVE-2024-26854
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a race condition in the Linux kernel's Intel Ethernet Controller E800 Series driver (ice) where a mutex is used before being properly initialized. This can cause kernel warnings, system instability, or crashes when the driver attempts to access the uninitialized mutex. Systems using affected Intel Ethernet hardware with vulnerable kernel versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Intel Ethernet Controller E800 Series driver (ice)
📦 What is this software?
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 or system crash leading to denial of service, potentially disrupting network connectivity on affected systems.
Likely Case
Kernel warning messages in logs and potential system instability or crashes when the ice driver initializes.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact or warning messages only, with no system disruption.
🎯 Exploit Status
This is a race condition during driver initialization, not a typical security exploit. Requires specific hardware and timing conditions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commit 9224fc86f1776193650a33a275cac628952f80a9
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9224fc86f1776193650a33a275cac628952f80a9
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fix commit 9224fc86f1776193650a33a275cac628952f80a9
2. Reboot system to load new kernel
3. Verify ice driver loads without warnings
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CONFIG_DEBUG_MUTEXES
linuxDisables mutex debugging which triggers the warning but doesn't fix the underlying issue
Rebuild kernel without CONFIG_DEBUG_MUTEXES=y
Blacklist ice module
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable ice driver
echo 'blacklist ice' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Avoid using Intel Ethernet Controller E800 Series hardware on vulnerable systems
- Monitor system logs for ice driver warnings and be prepared for potential crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if ice module loads with CONFIG_DEBUG_MUTEXES enabled. Look for 'DEBUG_LOCKS_WARN_ON' messages in dmesg during ice driver initialization.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check that kernel version includes fix commit 9224fc86f1776193650a33a275cac628952f80a9. Verify ice driver loads without mutex warnings in dmesg.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- 'DEBUG_LOCKS_WARN_ON(lock->magic != lock)' in kernel logs
- 'ice' driver initialization warnings
- Kernel oops or panic messages related to ice module
Network Indicators:
- Network interface failures on systems with Intel E800 series NICs
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("DEBUG_LOCKS_WARN_ON" OR "ice" AND "mutex" AND "warning")