CVE-2024-26934 – A race condition in the Linux kernel's USB subs... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-26934?

CVE-2024-26934 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A race condition in the Linux kernel's USB subsystem can cause a deadlock when deauthorizing USB interfaces. This vulnerability allows local attackers to cause denial of service by locking up USB device management. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with USB devices are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

A race condition in the Linux kernel's USB subsystem can cause a deadlock when deauthorizing USB interfaces. This vulnerability allows local attackers to cause denial of service by locking up USB device management. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with USB devices are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches available for multiple stable branches

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires USB subsystem usage and local access to trigger the deadlock condition.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system lockup requiring hard reboot, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.

🟠

Likely Case

USB device management becomes unresponsive, requiring system restart to restore functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper access controls preventing local attackers from triggering the deadlock.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to trigger the vulnerability.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or misconfigured automation could trigger denial of service.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and specific timing conditions to trigger the deadlock race condition.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with fixes (see references for specific commits)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/07acf979da33c721357ff27129edf74c23c036c6

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

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

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict USB sysfs access

linux

Limit access to USB sysfs interface files to prevent triggering the vulnerability

chmod 600 /sys/bus/usb/devices/*/authorized
chmod 600 /sys/bus/usb/devices/*/interface_authorized

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from accessing USB sysfs interfaces
Monitor system logs for USB-related deadlock indicators and have reboot procedures ready

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel.org stable branches

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version matches patched version and test USB device management functionality

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
USB subsystem timeouts
Processes stuck in D state related to USB

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("deadlock" OR "USB" AND "lockup" OR "D state" AND "usb")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-26934

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-667

Published: May 1, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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