CVE-2024-26856
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's sparx5 network driver. It allows attackers with local access to potentially crash the kernel or execute arbitrary code by manipulating MAC table entries. Systems using the sparx5 driver for Microchip Sparx-5 Ethernet switches are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with sparx5 driver enabled
📦 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 →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 denial of service, or potential privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution.
Likely Case
Kernel crash or system instability when MAC table operations are performed.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls prevent unauthorized users from manipulating network interfaces.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of driver internals. No public exploits are known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits: 0de693d68b0a18d5e256556c7c62d92cca35ad52 and related commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0de693d68b0a18d5e256556c7c62d92cca35ad52
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a patched Linux kernel version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot the system to load the new kernel. 3. Verify the sparx5 driver is using the patched code.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable sparx5 driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the sparx5 kernel module if not required
echo 'blacklist sparx5' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-sparx5.conf
rmmod sparx5
Restrict MAC table modifications
linuxLimit access to network configuration tools and interfaces
chmod 750 /sbin/ip
chmod 750 /sbin/bridge
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from accessing network configuration tools
- Monitor system logs for unusual MAC table modifications or kernel crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if sparx5 driver is loaded: lsmod | grep sparx5. If loaded, check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits or is newer than vulnerable versions. Check with: uname -r and compare with distribution security advisories.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crashes related to network operations
- MAC table modification errors in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual MAC address flapping on sparx5 interfaces
- Network interface instability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("sparx5" OR "use-after-free" OR "general protection fault")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0de693d68b0a18d5e256556c7c62d92cca35ad52
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71809805b95052ff551922f11660008fb3666025
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89d72d4125e94aa3c2140fedd97ce07ba9e37674
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e46274df1100fb0c06704195bfff5bfbd418bf64
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e83bebb718fd1f42549358730e1206164e0861d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0de693d68b0a18d5e256556c7c62d92cca35ad52
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71809805b95052ff551922f11660008fb3666025
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89d72d4125e94aa3c2140fedd97ce07ba9e37674
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e46274df1100fb0c06704195bfff5bfbd418bf64
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e83bebb718fd1f42549358730e1206164e0861d6
